AERODROME SITE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 57, 8 March 1930, Page 8

AERODROME SITE

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln furtherance of my letter of the 13th January to your journal, I might state that the cost of erecting the necessary walls across Porirua Harbour would not be as great as your correspondent, Mr. C. R. Barrett thinks. This work could hardly be compared to the Thorndon seawall, as this wall, I believe, had to be erected in 80 feet of water, as compared to approximately 20 feet in Porirua Harbour. I think your correspondent, if he reviews the proposal, will concur with rae in this respect, as have many other interested parties, including Mr. ' Duhbar Sloane. The proposed site is undoubtedly the most suitable for a combined aeroplane and seaplane base to be found anywhere iv the North Island.

When wo consider the immense possibilities of aviation to-day, would it be wise to select such a place as Gear Island for an aerodrome? There is approximately 43 acres of land on Gear Island, and even there in an adverse wind a pilot would have to encroach ou the golf club's property when landing. I would also like to remind your correspondent that Gear Island, to make it an up-to-date airport, would require at least £1500 to £2000 to be spent on it.

We must bear in mind that New Zealand will shortly have a number of commercial

air lines operating; and whose 'planes, I think, would find it rather difficult to land in the 43 acres at Gear Island. The proposed base at Porirua would be taking care of the future, not only of the present; it would be quite capable of catering for any and very class of aeroplane, seaplane, and flying-boat. When the trans-Tasman service is in operation, where will the seaplanes oi* flying-boats land if Porirua Harbour is not utilised as a base?—l am, etc.,

FRANCIS B. LEWIS.