AUCKLAND AIRPORT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 163, 30 June 1930, Page 9

AUCKLAND AIRPORT

BASE FOR LARGEST “SHIPS" , SCHEME APPROVED. COUNCIL TAKES BROAD VIEWSteps are being taken by the Auckland City Council which are calculated to bring about the establishment of a commercial airport in Auckland. At the last meeting of the council the report ot the Works Committee deferred for consideration since last meeting, and expressing the opinion “that it is necessary in the preservation of the commercial prestige of the city to establish a tirst-cluss airport” was adopted, and the question was referred back to the committee with instructions to take such action as necessary to give effect to its recommendations The committee, which reported after exhaustive investigations, further came to the conclusion that the obligation to provide aerial facilities for the city was not wholly that of the council, but that of a much larger area embracing the whole of the territory likely to be served by the porf. As the area was likely to be used for the despatch and receipt of mails, it was felt that the Government should have representation on a board it is proposal! should be set up to control the landing ground. PROVIDING FOR ALL DEMANDS. “The committee wishes the council •to take a broad and long view of this matter, because we wish to have in Auckland an airport that will be capable of receiving any airship that is likely to visit the city,’’ said Mr ,T. Dempsey, chairman of the Works Committee, in moving the adoption of the report. He added that the decisions arrived at by the committee were not merely calculated to provide Auckland with a ground for u flying school ot for the sport of flying. The ground suggested was one to provide for all flying demands and to offer a satisfactory base lor some of the largest airships. Commenting on the statement made by the Auckland Aero Club that its present ground was .sufficient for club purposes, and. if the ground were levelled, there would lie no need for future landing grounds in Auckland, Mr Dempsey said tho first part of the statement might bo correct, but he could not agree that

future requirement! were provided for. That wag not in accordance with the information gathered from far and 1 wide relative to the development of aerial transport. If a broad view were not taken., it would be sheer waste of money to consider the acquisition of a small ground. If the council was inclined to spend money on an airport it should advocate a, ground that would do credit to the largest city in the Dominion. Mr G. W. Hutchison, at whose Buggestion the committee made its vestigations, seconded the motion. “IX) THE JOB THOROUGHLY.” “I agree that unless we can do this job and do it thoroughly, it will oily be waste of money,’ said Mr E. J, Phelan. “At the same time it is necessary that the committee should endeavour to enlist the sympathy** the Government in its scheme. The Government participates in the building ot wharves, and it should also participate in providing aerodrome sites. The committee is to bo commended for its report and should I*> asked to continue its investigations in the direction of negotiating with the Government and local bodies a* indicated. The establishment of an airport is not only the job of the city, but the job of everybody.” The Mayor (Mr Geo. Baildon) explained that the adoption of the report would mean that the committee would pursue its investigations along the lines suggested.