Sharp Reply To Suggestion From Westport

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1947, Page 6

Sharp Reply To Suggestion From Westport

Someplain speaking in regard to Westport’s suggestion that its aerodrome should be used to service the whole of the West Coast was indulged in by the Mayor of Hokitika, Mr A. R. Elcock. at this, morning’s meeting cf the executive of .the South Island Local Bodies’ Association, at Greymouth. He was replying to Mr J. Warcf (Buller) who had suggested that the Westport aerodrome could be used while the new Hokitika aerodrome remained unserviceable.

“I am rather surprised to hear from Westport in regard to the aerodrome,” said Mr Elcock, “as Westport, in regard to the Regional Council or any other way has never worked in with the West Coast. Westport is. only a little place up the coast, quite difficult to get at even by road. In fact, if any of you delegates are contemplating a visit there I would suggest that you get your life well insured first. Definitely a place like Westport could not suitably service the West Coast. ■ “It is the first time that Westport has ever recognised any community of interest with the West Coast,"’ concluded Mr Elcock. Opposition Denied Mr Ward said that he had lived- in Westport all his life and had never seen any evidence of opposition to the West Coast in any way. His proposition was to help the Coast. “I say that if you have not got an aerodrome suitable for the planes available, we have one at Westport. “I am helping you, not opposing you,” concluded Mr Ward. The subject was introduced by a letter from'the Minister. of Works, Mr R. Semple, acknowledging receipt of the association’s representations that the construction of the new Hokitika aerodrome should be carried on with the utmost expedition. The Minister stated that he desired to assure the association that the work would be proceeded with as -rapidly as the man-power and weather conditions would permit, and that every effort would be made to have it completed as soon as possible. The chairman, Mr E .H. Andrews (Mayor of Christchurch) said that the association had urged that the aerodrome should be completed at an early date, from the point of \ iew of assisting internal communications. Replying to a question by the chairman. Mr Elcock said that the work had been stepped up recently Mr E. W. Heenan (Hokitika) said that he had made an inspection last Sunday and the main work now going on on the aerodrome was in regard to drainage. He considered the association should put more pressure on the Minister to have more machinery made available. It was to be

the main aerodrome on the West Coast, and it was important that the construction work should be speeded up, as there were only two or three machines working now and a lew metr.

Hokitika’s Importance Mr D. C. Cameron (Dunedin) moved that the Minister be thanked for his reply and that the association reiterate the importance of the work and urge that it be speeded up as much as possible. The motion was seconded by Mi D. J. Cockburn (Arrowtown) and carried. , . ~ Mr Ward then made his suggestion that the West Coast could be serviced from Westport while the Hokitika aerodrome was not available, thus drawing Mr Elcock's reply. The chairman said that the chairman of the National Airways Corporation, Sir Leonard Isitt, had indicated that he was anxious to start the trans-alpine service as soon as planes were available. . Mr Heenan said that it was desired to have the new aerodrome ready when the planes were available lor the trans-alpine service. The Hokitika aerodrome was the logical centre f or the whole of the district.