THE AERODROME AT MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 22 February 1935, Page 2

THE AERODROME AT MOTUEKA

LOGICAL TRANS-TASMAN TERMINUS CjLAIMS OF THE LOCAL MAYOR SUPPORTED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL After the general business at the meeting of the Borough Council had been dealt with this week, the Mayor, Mr R. J. L. York, brought forward the question of the future prospects of the Mot.ueka Municipal Aerodrome. “Before the Council adjourns,” said the Mayor, “I have a. matter of the utmost importance to bring forward—a matter which concerns the future welfare of this district. I refer to the claims of the Motueka Municipal Aerodrome as a terminus for the proposed trans-Tasman air service, which project has been discussed by Squadron-Leader N. E. Chandler in the course of a newspaper interview.” The Mayor went on to say that on reading “The Mail” he had been struck by tlie obvious incongruity of certain statements made by Squadron-Leader Chandler relative to tlie suitability of Blenheim as a terminus for a transTasman air service. The matter was one which directly concerned the Council, and for that reason SquadronLeader Chandler’s statements should not he allowed to pass unchallenged. “If New Plymouth is unsuitable as a . terminus from a flying point of view—the squadron-leader says that the clouds which ai'e perpetually attracted to the snow-capped dome of Mount Egmont are a menace to safe flying l — why go past the Motueka Municipal Aerodrome, which is admirably suited to the purpose.” declared Mr York. “Blenheim has only one thing to commend it—that it is in the line of flight of tlie 'main trunk’ air service when that comes into operation—whereas tile Motueka aerodrome, apart from its close proximity to Cook Strait, or for that matter to Farewell Spit (tlie first landfall irans-Tasman airmen are in the habit of making), is easy of access from the sea, being right on the coast, and has unusually low approaches, together with the freedom from clouds, which make flying between Nelson and Blenheim so hazardous.” After referring at length to the difficult nature of the country between Nelson and Blenheim, which he said, fairly bristled with mountain ranges, Mr York added that the Motueka aerodrome, wliic.i comprised an area of 57 acres, would give a runway of 900 yards into the prevailing winds, and a runway of nearly 700 yards in other directions with exceptionally low approaches on all sides. “When certain improvements are made, tlie Motueka Municipal Aerodrome will be one of the finest and safest ■ areodronies in New Zealand,” said_ Mr York, adding that ‘by reason of the strategic position it occupies, it is being considered by tlie Government as a mntary air base. “When in Motueka a few months ago, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith told us l hat New Plymouth was much more suitable than Blenheim as a terminal base for a trans-Tasman air service, for geographic and climatic reasons—both he and the late Lieutenant Ulm proved this—so if Squadron-Leader Chandler’s opinion counts for anything, and Mount Egmont is a source of danger rather than an assistance to transTasman flyers, then Motueka is undoubtedly the next best proposition,' and now is doubly important in view of the Cook .Strait Air Service shortly to be inaugurated.” For the information of the Council, Mr York explained that SquadronLeader Chandler, was the present pilotinstructor to the Marlborough Aero Club, and added that lie undoubtedly, naturally was not disinterested when lie championed Blenheim’s cause. That his views were misleading to a degree was apparent, by the fact that both Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and the late Lieutenant Ulm used the New Ply--'mouth aerodrome for their trans-Tas-man flights in preference to Blenheim. “To my mind, Motueka is the logical terminus for. a trans-Tasman air service,” concluded the Mayor, “and the Council should take the necessary steps to have the claim of Motueka recognised in ihe proper quarter.” The Mayor moved that the Council write to the Transport Board and to Hhe Director of Civil Aviation pressing the claims of the Motueka Municipal Aerodrome as a terminal base for a trans-Tasman service when. this is inaugurated. The motion, which was seconded by Councillor D. R. Park, was 'carried unanimously.