GEAR ISLAND SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 54, 7 March 1929, Page 12

GEAR ISLAND SCHEME

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

A deputation of flying enthusiasts .interviewed the Minister; of Defence (the Hon. T. M. Wiiford): and General R. Young at Lower Hutt yesterday, regarding the establishment of a light aeroplane: club in the Mutt Valley. The deputation consisted of Messrs. G. Carter, O. C'ottiel], W. Dobson, and I. .E.i Eawusley. . ; ■ ■ Mr. Carter said that..the formation of a club was particularly justified by having Gear island as a prospective flying ground, and Because of the pos-sible-early necessity of a Hutt Valley airport.: , The deputation asked.for the support .and advice which Mr. Wiiford might be able to give as the district's representative' in Parliament. They asked him, as Minister of Defence, whether ho could promise the club, when organised, Government assistance to the extent of a machine on loan, and later, if the activities of the club made it necessary to liave more machines, i they would 'like further assistance of tho-Government in lending them. Mr. Cottrell, who himself is tho owner of a light aeroplane; said- he thought enough members could be got to form a club in the Valley. . Mr. Eawnsley emphasised the strategical pbsition of iGear Island as an aerodrome. In- reply to Mr. Wiiford, he admitted that the ground would be fairly wet in winter, but ho thought that could bo got overi by drainage. The ground was 35 acres in area, being 594 yards long and 330' yards • wide, and favourable groukd all round would permit of an extension of the size. Mr. Wiiford i said ho was interested, and glad to meet the deputation, for his object and the iobjeet of General 1 Young was to help as: much as possible to create an air seijse. ■ There were conditions laid down by the Government for the formation' of light aeroplane clubs, and Until a club complied with them it could not ask! anything of tho Government, which would-deal only with approved clubs.' To be approved a club must have a flying ground with a suitable landing: strip 500 feet wide and of satisfactory surface under any weather conditions. The only doubt he had as to tho suitability of Gear Island as an aerodrome was whether or not it could satisfy the experts that it could present a satisfactory-surface under any weather conditions'. Also there wast no provisions at Gear Island for a slip-, way for the 1 use of seaplanes. Here Mr. Rawnsley pointed out that there was a i bay adjacent which could be made to accommodate seaplanes. Mr. Wiiford went onto deal with the great expense' necessary to build and maintain an aerodrome. The Government estimateof the cost of running an aerodrome 'was £.3000 • per annum— £500 for a pilot, £400 for. a ground engineer, and the cost of maintaining artificers, hangars, store and repair sheds, and of providing for possible accidents. '■'■''■

General* Young also spoke of the financial difficulties: that were involved in the working' of an aero club. For instance, it would cost £.3 10s an hour to learn to fly. v . Members of the deputation realised that they would have to get the backing of interested financial men in the formation of the club. They could proceed if they could get thirty men to give £.100 per annum. But could tliey'i It was thought that a motor-cycle track in the centre of the aerodrome, for use, say, four times a ybar> might help the funds of the club. There would be no fences, iand the track would not be in the way when not in use. Mr. Wilford, however, said that if would be only a matter of a few years before aeroplanes would be landing at air times, and/the ground must' therefore be clear and in good order for landing. One big difficulty brought up by the deputation was the ircnt demanded for Gear. Island by'the Hutt Kiver Board, which had its. duty to the ratepayers. It would cost the clubjabout £250 for as much of the island as it wanted. In conclusion -Mr. 1 Wilford* said- that tho. reasonable thing to do was to obtain financial backing, and then approach him again. He was. prepared to do everything possible to help''in j the establishment of a club, but: he had to see Uint it was done properly. /.. I