AERODROME SITE.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 15, 4 September 1930, Page 5

AERODROME SITE.

ONLY FIVE YEARS' LEASE

CONSIDERED,

In reply to the River Board 's. enquiry at the previous meeting, the secretary of" the "Wellington Aero Club wrote giving the. following information:'— The minimum period. .of lease that would be asked for-- would be ten years with, the right of renewal. With reference to the \york it is proposed to do at Sc&bie-**fsland, to convert; it into a flying, ground, letter stated I that to comply with the requirements lof the Director of Air Services it would be necessary to level and fill in north and south runaway 130 yards wide jby 320 yards long and to level and fill east and west runaway 350 yards long .by 100 yards wide.,streng-th-en^ ami extend- existing protective • bank along. the south edge of the island. Estimated cost£992. 10/-. Pill hanger site to level. Filling for ramp from: runaway to hanger floor and laying 1117 square yards bitumen, estimated cost £650. Buildings -to be" erected at an estimated cost- of £1500. Build foot bridge at cost of £250. Power line f roiii $ea- View Road at an estimated cost of £50. Total estimat<6d expenditure £3500. ,+ The estimates for filling arc based on tiie assumption that the' Biver Board will allow shingle to be moved from adjacent shingle banks to the points, required for levelling the island. Mr. Gostelow said the Board would have to seriously consider what was to be done with the estuary land: Mr. Chapman: '-'I see no harm- in allow.ing' the Aero :Club to use. it. for 10 years. I. am not so sure, about the right..of renewal for a-further term."

Mr. Hewer said that ivhou tlie^rapid developments of Hie last four or live years were considered it marie 1 it mi possible to estimate the possibilities of the estuary. The engineer considered that prices quoted for the reclamation of the island .were under estimated. The chairman said that he could not support ev'on a 3.0 years' lease, the club was too ambitious, and. should be content with spending say half the money and making a shorter, runaway. The engineer said that it was not desiraible to remove the sand dunes s;s they assisted the reclamation. Mr. Chapman's suggestion that the Aero Club be asked to meet the Board on the ground did not receive the support of other menibors. Mr. Hewer proposed and Mr. Gostelow seconded "That at present the Board is not prepared to consider the granting of a lease for more than five years. " The motion was carried, Mi:. Chapman dissenting.