REPORT APPROVED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 11, 13 July 1944, Page 7

REPORT APPROVED

ESSENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

"Wellington City must be linked with New Zealand's future air development, and, indeed, apart from Wellington's own interest in the matter, it is essential to the future of air services throughout the Dominion that Wellington's airport facilities shall be properly expanded and developed," said Councillor B. Todd, chairman of the airport committee of the City Council, when introducing to councillors •last night the comprehensive report upon the development of Rongotai airport, prepared by the City Engineer, Mr. K. E. Luke. The proposals made by the engineer and airport committee were unanimously endorsed by the council.

"There need be no "battle of the sites' in regard to Wellington's airport," said Councillor Todd. "The findings of the Commisison which investigated the whole matter in 1937 leave no room for doubt that Rongo-» tai is the only, site within 40 miles of Wellington which fulfills the necessary requirements. Those findings still hold good today. "When the improvements before the council are completed we will Have an airport with many outstanding merits. The main north-south air strip, being in the direction of Wellington's prevailing winds, will "provide a runway long enough for. the requirements of the types of aircraft which it is anticipated will be used in and out of this port, and this air strip will possess the unique advantage of uninterrupted water level approaches in both directions, to the jiorth across the water to Port Nicholson and to the south sea-

ward fromLyall Bay. "Moraover, Rongotai possesses the oustp^dding advantage of being located wit/nin a few minutes' travel from the

«;.ty. No other city in New Zealand possesses such an asset, nor do I know of any city overseas, large or small, that can claim such an advantage."

GOLF LINKS AND HOUSES.

The present council, he continued, Mvas pledged to an active programme of development of the airport, and for.tunately there was little that was controversial in the proposals. It was regretted that the Miramar golf links ,would be required for the relocation' of the 240 houses and other buildings ■which would have to be removed to :allow the extension of the landing field, but he was sure that members

iof the club would accept the sacrifice in the right spirit, and no doubt the Club wouldbe able to arrange to carry on elsewhere. "I am sure," he added, "'that the club will have the council's assurance that every facility within ,the power of the council will be afforded when the time comes.

"Residents in the areas concerned can rest satisfied that in the shifting and resiting of their homes they will not be the losers. That portion of the Miramar golf links which it is proposed shall be used to site these residences will be laid out in modern town-planning style and each of the houses will enjoy added amenities which, amongst other things, will by the design'of the streets ensure maximum sunlight. It is the council's intention to conduct the change-over in an orderly and progressive manner so that no family will suffer serious inconvenience." Councillor Todd said he personally thought that there were sites other s^th^li that suggested by the City Engineer more suitable for the relocation of Rongotai College, both as regarded accessibility and the centre of the juvenile.'population. That, however, "was not really a matter for the council, for the Wellington College Board of Governors and the Government would have their own ideas. The airport committee would spare no effort in assisting to obtain a new and suitable college site. Once the improvements proposed in . the present recommendations were carried put, further extension .gould ,be, ; made Merely'by reclamation <-of Evans' ,-. Bay, without complications. Councillor R. L. Macalister, congratulating the City Engineer, Mr. K. ■ E. Luke, on one of the most valuable reports.to the council for years, said that the interest of citizens would be aroused. Delay would mean increased costs later. The situation might not be the most ideal, but it had the great value of central position.! Homes would . be removed only a short distance. The suggestion regarding Rongotai College ■was particularly fortunate in giving it more room and better surroundings. The cost .of the airport must be faced, though no doubt the Government Would assist.

MOST VALUABLE REPORT.

The Mayor (Mr. Appleton) gave his lull support to the proposals embodied in the report, and endorsed the remarks made by other speakers of the practical nature of Mr. Luke's proposals whereby housing and other difficulties might be met. The plan, said Mr. Appleton, was the more satisfactory and convincing because it was a long-range plan, and in that regard •the present council was indebted to past councils for their far-sightedness m regard to an airport for the city. "I am positive that-the Government will welcome this move and will receive us in the right spirit," continued Mr. Appleton. "They realise with us that Wellington cannot develop without an adequate airport. We have a fine city, a fine harbour, and we must have a fine airport. Personally I do not think that great airliners will come to Wellington, but that they will go to Ohakea or some - other similar aerodrome, from which planes carrying 20 to 30 pasengers will radiate."

Hongotai today, he said, was handling over 40 per cent of the total air traffic of the Dominion, and, in the face of a great deal of criticism, had proved itself one of the best aerodromes in New Zealand. He welcomed the report, and was sure that the whole council would get solidly behind it. He was particularly pleased that the plan put forward did not propose the dispossessing o£ people of their houses, and that it made provision for football and sports grounds. Unfortunately, the Miramar Golf Club would go, but they must themselves have realised fully that they could not retain their links in that position for all time. ■

Mr. Appleton paid a tribute to the Deputy City Engineer, Mr. E. R, McKillop, as well as to Mr. Luke, for the valuable work he had done in connection with plans for Rongotai airport.

The airport had been referred to as a "city amenity," said Councillor F. W. Furkert. He did not agree with that term at all, for an adequate airport was a city necessity. The moving of the houses would probably not be commenced in less than two years, for it could not be undertaken until many preliminary steps and the removal of Rongotai College had been completed. There was. therefore, no reason for anyone to begin worrying where they were going to live next' Christmas. The council was not going to, and could not, rush into that section of the work, though there were certain directions probably in which immediate improvements could be effected. The City Engineer and his staff were certainly to be warmly congratulated upon their report. At a recent meeting the council had discussed the development of Rongotai in a nebulous sort of way and had asked the engineer to bring down a report: that he had done in a manner that any sensible man must heartily approve.

Interest in the manner in which the 234 houses were to be shifted was expressed by Councillor R. A. Wright. The Government would assist the great project, but where was the rest of the money to be obtained? From the ratepayers?

Councillor Gilmer: There is no layby for you?

Would the project pay interest and sinking fund on the money raised? asked Councillor Wright.

Removal, not destruction, of the houses was the position, said Councillor M. F. Luckie. Regarding revenue, all the council was concerned about at present was getting the interest and support of all other bodies

Councillor M. Fraser complimented .Councillor Todd on his first appearance in support of the project. The report had town-planning merits, especially as regarded Rongotai College. The cost, when the matter was recently discussed, was £500,000. When

transport was passing from the sea to the air Wellington citizens should not balk at the cost in the city's interests. The money spent in the city through the floating dock/was an instance of the results of enterprise. The construction of the airport was a postwar matter, and the finance could be studied later.

Commenting upon points iSade by speakers, Councillor Todd emphasised that there would be space for 100 houses in addition to those to be moved, as well as park space, football grounds, and playing fields. The one party which would be called upon to make any sacrifice would be the Miramar Golf Club, and the council should be ready with an assurance that practical assistance would be given. As to fear about the reaction of the people of Wellington to the proposal, the record showed that they had always been ready to approve of any project for the real benefit of the city. There was no question of the desirability of the site proposed for a new Rongotai College,. though so fine a site might perhaps more effectively be used for a residential college.

The report received the unanimous support of the council, which will now approach the Wellington Harbour Board and the Chamber of Commerce with a view of their joint approach to the Government to give effect to the recommendations embodied in the report.