COMMERCIAL AVIATION

Northern Advocate, 21 May 1929, Page 8

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

no fees paid for park. COUNCILLORS SURPRISED. | 1 ' ] The- matter ot‘ the Whangaroi Bor- . ough, Council laying down -a policy and 1 scale of charges for the use of Kensington Park for commercial aviation purposes, was brought forward by the Mayor, Air AY, Jones, at. last night’s meeting of the council. His Worship said that if the park were to be used for the purpose stated something in. the direction he had indicated would* have to be adopted, as footballers belonging to the town and district had to pay the council 10 per cent, of the gate takings. He had, with the town clerk, given permission to Captain, MacCregor to use the park, owing to Pohe’s Island being in an unsuitable condition. There was no doubt that the visit of 'the plane had been of great educational value, and such visits should, be encouraged, but users of the park for such purposes should, pay something. Cr. Brake concurred in the views ex-, pressed, and moved that the Major draft a letter sotting out the position and send it forward to the executive of the Municipal Association for its advice and .guidance as to what is being done in other places. Cr. Holmes seconded the motion. Cr. Tibbits stated that it had beer? the policy of the council to make a charge for the use of the park in the past, and it should have been adhered to. He would like to see the Parks Committee bring down a scale of charges.

Or. Brainsby considered it would be better to get information from the Municipal Association first and then that a scale of charges be drawn up. Cr, Jackson considered it was wrong that the park should have boon used for 10 days and .nothing'paid for it, Cr. Brainsby: “Haven’t they been charged anything? ’ ’ The Mayor: “No.” Cr. Brainsby: “I’m staggered.” The Mayor: “That is the question lam asking you to settle. AA’e have no authority to charge them.”

iCr. Brainsby; “Does not the 10 per cent, regulation cover it?”

Cr. Holmes considered that in A'iew of the educational A’alue of the plane’s visit no charge should be made on this occasion. The motion was then put and carried, Cr. Jackson then moved that the council semi forward a. bill claiming 10 per cent on the takings, stating that, the aA'iator had made use of borough property and should pay for it. It Avas a reasonable demand. Cr, Tibbits seconded the proposal. Cr. Holmes: “I. object. The visit has done a lot of good by bringing -the town forward as a centre for aviation."

'Cr, Pickraere suggested that the 10 per cent, should be levied on the profits and not un the takings, as aviation was a very expensive business. The Mayor: “Could I persuade the mover .to withdraw the motion for this particular case?’ ’

Cr. Jackson: “I contend that some payment is due to the council.” Cr. Brain sbf: “We accepted them as guests, and it. now looks as if we are

going to break the laws of hospitality.” The Mayor: “We have given Whangaroi an ‘air sense.’ ” The mover and seconder then agreed to withdraw the motion, and the incident closed.