AIR DEFENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 November 1940, Page 6

AIR DEFENCE

DEVELOPMENT OF NELSON AERODROME RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON’S HEADQUARTERS BUILDING PROGRAMME WELL ADVANCED A marked transformation has taken place at the Nelson aerodrome since it was announced six weeks ago that an extension of the air defences of the Dominion was to be made by the establishment of a general reconnaissance squadron in the Nelson-Marlborough district, with headquarters at Nelson. Many thousands of yards of spoil have been removed to provide level foundation areas for the main camp and for hangar and other buildings, and the construction of most of the buildings and the essential services is well on the way towards completion. It has been necessary for all the construction contracts to be carried out expeditiously as it is intended that the headquarters unit and first flight of planes will commence operation in January. At the present time there are 362 men employed on the aerodrome by the contractors and the Public Works Department. The establishment of the reconnaissance station is being carried out under the supervision of the Public Works i Department. NEW HANGAR The preparation of the new hangar site entailed the shifting of 10,000 cubic yards of spoil, and about 6 inches of hard filling has been spread and consolidated as a foundation for the concrete floor of the hangar which will be of steel truss type. It is the intention of the Government to make provision for the squadron progressively and space has been reserved for additional hangar accommodation. The main store, between the main administration building (taken over from the Nelson Harbour Board) and the new hangar, is already about 60 per cent completed. WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE The water supply for the station is being provided by the laying of a 6 inch main from the Roding water supply pipeline to the aerodrome via Quarantine and Bolt roads. Due to the flat nature of the country and the small height above sea level difficulty was encountei'ed in obtaining suitable grades for most of the drainage but those difficulties have been overcome and the sewerage scheme is well under way. A septic tank 47 feet by 14 feet is under construction in reinforced concrete. The complete electrification is being carried out by the Waimea Electric Power Board and most of that work is well advanced. CAMP SITE AND BUILDINGS The establishment of a self-contained squadron has necessitated a considerable building programme to accommodate the personnel which will number about 230 men. The camp site and buildings, nearly half a mile along Bolt road from the hangars, are spread over an area of about 8 acres, which has been levelled by the shifting of approximately 9000 cubic yards of sand, and then returfed. The roading into the camp from Bolt road has been practically completed. All ranks at the station will in the first instance be accommodated in standard mobilisation huts or tents of a pattern similar to those used in Public Works camps. The buildings on the camp site include one mess block with a central kitchen but providing separate messing for officers n.c.o.’s and men, a recreation institute including a Post Office, three ablution and lavatory blocks, as well as separate buildings for wet and dry canteens, and sick quarters. Good progress is being made with all these buildings. In addition to the new buildings which are in the course of erection the squadion will occupy the civil administration building recently erected by the Nelson Harbour Board and the hangar belonging to Cook Strait Airways. CONTRACTS The following are some of the contracts which have been let for work at the aerodrome:—Combined mess, Chamberlain and Stannard; officers’, n.c.o’s and airmen’s ablution blocks, J. L Pugh; institute block, B. and G.T. , Holbrook Ltd.; wet and dry canteen, J. L. Pugh; fuel store, J. L. Pugh; ration store, J. L. Pugh; sick quarters, B. and G.T. Holbrook Ltd.; main store, J. L. Pugh; miscellaneous stores, J. L. Pugh; motor transport shed and garage, J.D. and L. Robertson Ltd.; fire tender and ambulance garage, J.D. and L. Robertson Ltd.; guard house, latrines, hut erection, contract No. 1, mobilisation huts, supply and erection, contract No. 2, J. L. Pugh; incinerator, J.D. and L. Robertson Ltd; main septic tank. C. Gibbons; water supply contracts, Hume Steel Co., Ltd.; effluent line, C. Gibbons; sewerage reticulation, camp site, White and Taylor. WORK AT OMAKA The third flight of the squadron will be a detached unit at Omaka aeroi drome, Blenheim, where work is also in progress for tho.accommodation of 90 men. All ranks at Omaka are to be accommodated in the standard mobilisation type of wooden dormitory and cubicle blocks and work is proceeding in the construction of that accommodation. Contracts have also been let and construction work is in progress on a new hangar, mess, recreation and canteen buildings at Omaka.