AN AIR STATION

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1939, Page 6

AN AIR STATION

LOCATED AT WOODBOURNE,

(Per Press Association. —Copyright).

BLENHEIAI, February 15

Tlie Air Force squadron which is being established at Blenheim will he located at the Woodbeurne Estate, the aerodrome embracing the field from which the late Sir Charles KingsfordSiriith took off in the first New Zca-land-Australia flight in 1928, and which was ..used by the Marlborough Aero Club for commercial air services during the period when the Blenheim civil aerodrome was undergoing reconstruction.,. . ...

The decision to use Woodbourne constitutes a reversion to .the former plan of the Government, to resume the area for the purpose of an air. station in. r scheme for the defence ot the Cook Strait zone. The:decision to take the property was subsequently, revoked, but in recent weeks, a survey , has bepn undertaken and the. Minister's; announcement was not unexpected. Tenders were invited to-day by the Public Works Department for the erection, in timber, ot temporary hahgars and annexes at Woodbourne. ••

Once the, negotiations for taking over WocdbournS have been completed, no time will be lost in grading and draiP-> ing . the area, for, the construction >o) a defence aerodrome, stated the ister for Defence, .the F;-, doner., .when ; interviewed ; ;})y i telephone yester-i day atternoofi. , rThei:.MShisterj/'added' the;; n^chppiaisffitli. - } whiqhotfthe. squpdrpp, 'ibfh;,equipped -were. on order,,,and vfould have!a wide range and would be fully adequate for reconnaissance work from Blenheim, and give full protection to the. central portion of New .Zealand. All.the machines would be -fitted with wireless, and part of . the equipment of. • the aerodrome would be a wireless station. The buildings to be erected comprise two hangars and annexes, a workshop, quarters for,.,officers and men, and a wireless building. -