WHO PAYS THE RATES?

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21756, 4 July 1945, Page 2

WHO PAYS THE RATES?

GISBORNE AERODROME POSITION OBSCURE “The position is still somewhat obscure,” declared the town clerk,' Mr. W. M. Jenkins,, at last night’s meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council, following the, reading, of., correspondence from the director of works of the Air Department regarding the control ot' the Gisborne aerodrome. The communication indicated that with the withdrawal of .the R.N.Z. A.F. squadron at Gisborne, the control of the field had. passed from the air force. It pointed out that as Union Airways of N.Z. were using the aerodrome revenue obtained from the company by- the council would assist in the paying of the rates. ■ - - - • . •

The town clerk informed the, council that the air force had taken over the aerodrome early in the war for five years and had undertaken to provide £l5O per annum.‘.towards the payment of rates. That period ended in March last and the air force -now explained that further contributions towards the. cost's to' the council would not be made. Mr. Jenkins understood that there.}, was . a. staff of air force officials still using certain sections of the establishment at the aerodrome.

The. Mayor. Mr.'N. H. Bull, stated that Union Airways was prepared to lease the -field before the war. He pointed out that extensions, had been made to the aerodrome so that it was- much-' larger than -previously. The extended areas belonged to the Government. Mr. R. Morse said that the council’s main concern was who was going to pay the. rates. Mr. G. D. Mu'iVhead thought that part of this year’s rate payment should he borne by the. air force. The matter was referred to the ♦own clerk to communicate with Union Airways regarding the leasing of the aerodrome.