HASTINGS AIRPORT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 212, 21 August 1934, Page 6

HASTINGS AIRPORT

Acquisition by the Borough BUSINESS MEN’S VIEWS / Considerable interest in the advisability or otherwise of the Hastings Borough Council’s acquiring the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club’s aerodrome at Bridge Pa was shown by members of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce when the matter came under discussion at the monthly meeting of the Chamber last evening. Further consideration of the matter was deferred until the Chamber has had an opportunity of gathering more detailed information than is at present at i'ts disposal. The discussion arose from an interview, published recently in the “Tribune,’’ in which Mr G. M. Spence, president of the New Zealand Aero Club, made some general references to the establishment of municipal airports in New Zealand. Jt was a little unreasonable, said Mr Cecil Duff, who opened the discussion, to expect a small band of enthusiasts like the Aero Club to shoulder the responsibilities of an organisation which must be of benefit to the whole community. Mr F. E. Smith asked Mr Duff whether he was in favour of the principle of subsidising one particular body, and whv such a principle should be followed. Mr Duff: It is our elnb. Mr Smith: But aren’t they out to make money f Mr Duff answered that apparently Mr Smith was unaware of the real position. If the municipality took over the aerodrome, it would become the borough’s club subject to certain conditions. There was no suggestion of a subsidy.

Mr W. A. Whitlock said that no-one could say how quickly aviation was going to develop in New Zealand, or how far it was going to extend. At present the town was dependent upon tl:a goodwill of the club for the maintenance of what was virtually Hastings’ airport. It seemed desirable to have some assurance that Hastings would not be left without an airport, t subsidy was not suggested, but only tiio purchase of the aerodrome, which would then of course become the property of the town.