N.Z. AIR DEFENCE

Grey River Argus, 29 April 1938, Page 9

N.Z. AIR DEFENCE

NEW AUCKLAND BASE?

The belief that the Government has plans for a military aerodrome at Whenuapai, considerably bigger than that at Hobsonville, but in no way intended to replace the existing base, is held by landowners in the district, as a result of the operations of surveyors over an area of some hundreds of acres of farm land. Reports in the district, unconfirmed but persistent, are to the effect that the site is the most favourable of several surveyed in the vicinity of Auckland and that it will ultimately become a service aerodrome to house further defence machines. Property belonging to a dozen or more owners is included in the area surveyed. It comprises the whole of several farms and parts of a number of others. The land generally is flat and in the event of the properties being taken over for an aerodrome less levelling than is usually required would be involved in preparing the There are, however, a number of houses, as well as trees and hedges on the properties involved, but the area is not broken by creeks or hills and seems generally more suitable than the property at Kumeu that was ’examined for the same purpose some months ago. Surveyors have been working in the district, for many weeks and have covered a wide area. The survey is being done by the Public Works Department and the utmost reticence as to the reason for the work has been maintained. The belief is general that another military aerodrome is about to take shape. A suggestion that the survey was nearing completion and that it had now reached the stage where such details as sites for future hangars were now being surveyed was made in the district recently. It was pointed out that the area selected was some of the finest dairying land north of Auckland and a farmer stated that he and others were concerned about the future should the Government decide to take the land, suitable as it might be for an aerodrome. He said it was the home of a number of families who would be hard put to it to find equally good properties elsewhere. WORK AT HOBSONVILLE. That the possible new aerodrome is not intended to replace Hobsonville as the future ground-training and stores base for the Royal New Zealand Air Force is apparent from the improvements in progress at the existing base. The main accommodation block is having its wings lengthened to provide accommodation for a further 120 recruits. Additions are almost completed at the western end of the building, this being in wood and of similar design to the existing structure. Slower progress has been made at the eastern end though the building is taxing shape.