AERODROME SITE

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 April 1935, Page 3

AERODROME SITE

meeting at blaketown

Judging by the small attendance of Blaketown and Preston Road residents at the BlaliCuO'.vn Hall, on Thursday evening, not a great deal oi general interest is being taken in the question as to whether the proposed aerodrome for -Greymouth should be located at the rear of the hospital, with the consequent closing of the road at present running through the qite The meeting was convened by the Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade) to give himself and members of the Rm-nneh Council an opportunity ot

explaining the aerodrome scheme, ine visitors, who included several members of the Aero Club, and- Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., practically equalled the number of Blaketown residents in esent. Mr J. McGirr occupied the chair. Speeches on the lines of their remarks at meetings . .of the Borough Council were made by the Mayor, and Crs F. A. Kitchingham, C. Neville, A. McCarthy, A. H. McKane, F. L. Turley, R. J. Williams, and F. F. Boustridge. A number of questions were asked, by Blaketown residents, but the meeting, which occupied two and a-half hours, developed mainly into a| rather heated wrangle between the Mayor and Cr. Boustridge, arising from previous debates at the Council table. Cr McKane said he did not know that the discussion that evening would do any good. Even though the ratepayers voted on the question, the matter would still go before the S.M. ti.cv wptp xv-astina a lot of time that

evening, as the people would have an opportunity to exercise their the public meeting to be culled. The S.M. then had to decide. Personally, said Cr McKane, he did not think the S.M. would close the road. Mr T. Aiderton: If the S.M. had to decide, what the devil are we doing here at this meeting. It makes us look like a lot of mugs, coming here talking arid getting heated. Or Boustridge said that the Act pro-

vided that, if the public meeting voted that the road should not be closed, then the question was settled and could not bo brought up again for ; twelve months. If the meeting voted for the closing of the road, then the matter must go Refore the S.M., who could either affirm or deny the decision of the public meeting. If he denied it, the question could not be brought up again for another two years.

Several questions were asked regarding the method of taking the vote at the public meeting, and the Mayor gave an assurance that everyone who attended the meeting would be given an opportunity to vote. Mr A. J. McDowall said that the Aero Club had no intention of taking part in the matter, except as citizens. They had no particular preference for a site, as a club, so long as an aerodrome was established.

After further discussion, Mr Aiderton said that they were, only cross-j examining one another. They should “go home, and be jolly good company until they met again.” The Mayor said that they should consider the little disadvantage of having to walk a few chains farther, on the road which would be provided nearer the beach, in lieu of the present road, as against the advancement and prosperity of the district, which v.-ould be. promoted by the establishment of the aerodrome. Mr F. Stent moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor and Councillors, for

visiting Blaketown. and the Mayor moved a similar compliment to Mr McGirr. for presiding.