VALLEY AIRPORT AGAIN.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 21, 16 October 1930, Page 6

VALLEY AIRPORT AGAIN.

DISCOURAGED BY RIVER BOAEJ>,

At tho last meeting of the Hutt Eiver Board held on 7th inst., the vexed question of the use of Scatoey. Island as an aeroplane base was again discussed at a conference wit the representatives of tho Wellington Aero Cluib.

The representatives -were Messrs T. O. A. Hislop (iOhairman), H. B. Burdekin (secretary),,and Cr. Gr. Wallace..

In "welcoming the delegates the chairman, Mr. F. S. Hewer, said that the Board did not favour granting more than a five years lease, but he would be pleased to hear the views of the club's representatives.

Mr. Hislop said that at present they were using Eongatai which -had disadvantages on account of the variable wind and of the dense settlement and on that ac count they were anxious to secure another site. Wing Commander Gnant-^aiton. had expressed " a rougih. opinion tuat Scaiby Island wias more suit/able for their requirements than Eongatai, but a •eonsideraible-amount of money Would have to be-apenit on the ground and his club was. prepared to spend between £3000 and £4000 on the work. if the Board would consent to the leasing of the island the club would feel justified in going to the expense of obtaining an engineer's report. He made tho suggestion that if-the boajd would''permit it, Mr. Sladden should be asked to prepare the report and he hoped that a scheme could ibe evolved that would conserve the interests of the board's reclamation whilst providing a flying ground for the eluib.. The club would like to know whether the board was prepared to state^ in general terms, the 'conditions it would require so that the elu-b could be justified in obtaining an engineer's report^ He suggested that an' acceptable tenure would be 10 years. .

In. reply to Mr. Hewer Mi' Hislop said that his cluto was only -concerned with elttb flying, but he had 'been told that the Government had some idea of obtaining an area suitable for hydroplanes and that might be developed for commercial purposes and if so it might assist in the board's scheme of reclamuation. The Government was considering -whether-a base should be formed at Porirua or at the Hutt USsfcuiary, It would be to the club's advantage to join in with the bigger scheme.

Mr. Wallace explained that an area sufficient for two runways would be required, each ICO yards toy 300 yaTds, •running"" N. and S. and E. and W.

Mr. Sladden pointed out that the mhnimium level of safety on the island would be ISin. above mean high, water

mark,

Mr. Wallace agreed tbatt the ■groiaid would have to be raised to a ley^l to ensure against flooding. /

Mr. Gostelaw: How would you do the levelling without removing the sand dunes?

Mr. Wallace: It would be our intention to conserve dunes at the south end of the island.

Mr. Howcr said that the question of tenure tvias one that the Board would have to consider very carefully. He did not think that the demand for land for industrial purposes was yet eshaiisted and it inig&t be necessary fox the board to pursue a vigorous policy of reclamation in the near future to provide for industrial requiremen/te. It is not that we want to be hard on the Aero Club, but. we have other things in view," said the chairman. He went on to suggest that the club might be able to .reduce its expenditure by having only one runway N. and S. with the prevailing wind

■ It was pointed out by Mr. Waßaee that in tie event of a sudden change in the wind the pilot would have to make a dangerous landing in a cross wind.

" Safety of life has to be considered," said Mr. Bmrdekin. In reply to Mr. (Jostelow, Mr. Hislorp said that the minimum tenure that the club would require would be 10/ years. The club would definitely refuse a £v,e years lease. &

The chairman thanked the deputation for placing the matter so freely before the board and promised to give the question careful consideration. The deputation then reiired and a general discussion followed.

Mr. Chapman said he did not think any harm could be done by letting the tfub have the lease.

The chairman: "Is it advisable to consider a lease when we are told that the Government may be working in the matter!" .

Mr. Sladden said that the eluib had approached him and he had told tfeem that he would recommend against an aerodrome if the club wanted to intearfere with the sandbanks or lay down any big area in asphalt. Mr. Sladden spoke of the possibilities of the establishment on the island and in the estuary of a commercial aerodrome and hydroplane base. He said that it would cost £600 an acre to build the island up to the level of the board's requirements—3ft above mean high wtater mark—«o tJuat it would cost £12,000 for the 20 acres wanted by the club. The coat might be reduced by having the island saucer-shaped, 3ft at the edges and lower in the centre, with a pump for drainage.

Mr. Gostelow moved and Mr. Chapman seconded, that the board would not consider the granting of a ten-year lease unless the whole area of 20 acres was built up by the cluib to a level of three feet above mean Siigh water mark, the spoil to be taken from the river channel or from places approved by the board's engineer. The motion was carried unanimously.