SOUTHERN CROSS FLIGHT

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1932, Page 4

SOUTHERN CROSS FLIGHT

KINGSFORD SMITH’S PLANS WHANGAREI VISIT PROPOSED. LANDING GROUND PROVISION. As was stated in the “Northern Advocate’’ yesterday, there is every possibility that Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, the world famous aviator, and his equally famous Southern Cross will visit Whangarei next month, arriving about January 21.

At a meeting of the Whangarei Aero Club yesterday afternoon, Major G. A. C. Cowper, pilot-instruc-tor to the club, said ho bad received advice from the aviation branch of the Vacuum Oil Proprietary, Ltd., Wellington, that, provided the original itinerary is adhered to and satisfactory landing arrangements can be made, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith will arrive in Whangarei in the Southern Cross about January 21. Whangarei will be the first town visited after the arrival of the Southern Cross in Now Plymouth.

A committee consisting of Major Cowper and Messrs R. K. Trimmer and A. D. Jack were appointed to wait, upon the Whangarel Harbour Board today with a request that a portion of the board’s reclaimed land, about a mile and a half from the town, be made available for the occasion. This area, it was pointed out, is ideally situated, and comprises about 100 acres of land suitable for the landing of a machine such as the Southern Cross, which requires for landing an area of about 600 square yards. Very little requires to be done to the Harbour Board land beyond filling in of a ditch, the removal of a fence and few small alterations, which Major Cowper estimates will cost about £ls. WHANGAREI AERODROME SITE AT RECLAMATION. 100 ACRES SUGGESTED. GROUND NEAR KIOREROA. A deputation from the Whangarei Aero Club waited upon the Whangarei Harbour Board today. The deputation comprised Messrs R. Iv. Trimmer (chairman), A. D. Jack (member of the committee), W. T. Surman (secretary) and Major Cowper (instructor).

Mr Trimmer said that after combing the district, the, id lib had,"come to the conclusion that the best aerodrome site in the district was the piece of partly reclaimed land opposite Poke Island. The land lay on the left-hand side of the railway, between Limeburners and- Kioreroa, and was 100 acres in extent. A little stop-banking was required, but in its present condition the area w r as flat as a billiard table, and Major Cowper had landed there successfully several times.

Major Cowper expressed the opinion that the landing ground would be one of the best in New Zealand. It was suitable for a take-off even for three engined machines, such as Sir Charles Kingsford Smith would be using on his visit to New Zealand in a month’s time.

Mr Trimmer asked that the area concerned be leased to the Whangarei Aero CJub. The club was making overtures to the Government for inclusion in an art union. In view of reduced subsidies being paid to clubs, the Government was giving favourable consideration to art unions, but the first question the Minister wanted answered was whether the club had an aerodrome in prospect. Major Cowper said the stretch of water nearby was ideal for seaplanes. The area was already suitable for use except at high tides. . Only a little repair to the stop-bank would be necessary. The ground would consolidate quickly. The provision of a road running parallel to the railway line, as was proposed in the reclamation scheme, would be a distinct advantage. Elsewhere the construction of aerodromes was being undertaken by unemployed labour, and in this connection Major Cowper quoted Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Wellington and Auckland.

Mr Finlayson said the board realised that it was the only body which could help the club and the district in the matter. The board would have to be guided largely by its engineer. After a consultation with the District Engineer the board would be in a better position to judge. Major Cowper said a machine of the Southern Cross type would require <BOO feet distance each way. These dimensions were available on the ground, which would be an A class

aerodrome, “L” shaped and peeu liarly suited for the purpose.

Famous Flier’s Visit,

Mr A. D. Jack said there was a possibility of Sir Charles Kingsford ■Smith visiting Whangarei next month should a suitable ground be available. The only ground which could be made available was that at Polio Island, where a little fascining and other work was necessary. Mr J. A. Finlayson said the board had no further authority over the ground, which was now let to tenants.

Mr Trimmer said the tenants wore agreeable to the necessary arrangements being made. The board decided that its engineer co-operate with the Aero Club representatives in both matters.

The Board Agrees. The matter of the proposed lease was discussed after lunch. On the motion of Mr L. A. Johnson, it was decided to notify the club that the board is prepared to consider favourably a lease of the proposed site. The engineer was .requested to report on boundaries etc. Mr J. E. Holmes thought that if unemployed labour was to be used the application should come from the Aero Club. There was a feeling already among other local bodies about the amount allocated to the Harbour Board.

It was pointed out that the area would have to bo offered for tender, and, on the suggestion of Mr Johnson, it was decided to make any lease conditional upon the area being used for the purposes of an aeroplane landing ground.