AIR FORCE NEEDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 13 October 1941, Page 4

AIR FORCE NEEDS

AERODROME EXTENSION TAKING OVER FART OF GOLF LINKS FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS Th* taking over of a large portion of the Nelson Golf Club's link* for the purpose of extending the area of the Tahunanui Air F'orre Station is a present being considered by the Government. When the possibility of this step being taken was first made public la-t May the City Council made representations to the Government that evei y effort should be made to preserve the links as a civic asset, and an assurance was received that no portion of the area would be taken at least until the end of this season. It has now been found that, because of the type of plane to be used from the Tahunanui aerodrome, the runways will have to be lengthened and the proposal is before the Government that two large sections of the links should be taken over for this purpose. Because of the City Council’s view that all possible alternative methods of enlarging the aerodrome should be n vestigated before any section of the links is taken over, a conference wa# , held in Nelson on Friday to discuss the question. The Government was represented by Squadron Leader Petrie and Mr Simpson, of the Public Works Department. Others present were members of the council and representatives of the golf club and the Golf Grounds Company. All aspects of the matter were discussed and alternative methods of meeting the Air Force requirements suggested. After the meeting the are* was inspected by the Government representatives. who returned to Wellington that afternoon.