Waipapakauri Airfield As Public Sports Centre

Northern Advocate, 11 March 1948, Page 3

Waipapakauri Airfield As Public Sports Centre

KAITAIA, Wed. (Sp.).—Proposals for the retention of 93 acres of the former Waipapakauri airfield as a public sports area were placed before the Minister of Lands (Mr Skinner) at Kaitaia last night. These came from a deputation representing a large meeting of local body representatives and sports organisations which was held on the same evening as the Minister’s public meeting.

Mr Skinner viewed the propose with favour. Ho told the deputatior he was unaware of past representations for retention of the area as public properly, but agreed it would be imsuited to farming purposes Convened by the Mangonui County Council, the meeting' included representatives of the Kaitaia Chamber ol Commerce and the Borough Council as well as both county and Awanui sports organisations and the Kaitaia aero and gliding clubs. Discussion following receipt of the deputation's report displayed unanimous agreement that the area should be retained for public use. NATURAL COUNTY CENTRE A resolution on these lines will be referred to the Minister of Lands, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the M.P. for Hobson (Mr S. W. Smith). Opinions expressed were that the former airfield had been so drained and grassed as to be unsuited to farming, and that as the work had been financed by the public, the area not already returned to the original owners should remain the property of the people. Waipapakauri was described as the natural county centre of both Maori and pakeha sporting activity. It was also regarded as an ideal aero clubtype flying field. Growth of the district made provision of additional sports facilities a necessity, said the chamber of commerce president (Mr Rhys C. Williams). . Mr C. B. Michie urged immediate action to avoid jeopardising public opportunity of securing the area. j