AVIATION FACILITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20239, 26 April 1929, Page 16

AVIATION FACILITIES.

/- Sir,—Your very able leader on "Avia-tion-Facilities" a few days ago deserves the careful consideration of all citizens. Might I suggest that the responsibility for an air ,port ba left to the Harbour Board. That able body might utilise Shoal Bay for the purpose. If that scheme were possible I should say that Auckland would possess the finest and most convenient air port in the world. It would be only a few minutes from Queen Street by the new harbour bridge, and no high hills or other obstructions in the surrounding country. J. LrrrLEJOHN. Einemoa Street, Birkenhead.

Sir, —It appears to mo that the advantages and .disadvantages of a site for an aerodrome for Auckland have been overlooked. In all the world there is no place that has the advantages of Hobson Bay. It is lighted on every side, as if arranged for the purpose, by Devonport and harbour lights. It is within walking distance of railway and trains and is surrounded by landmarks, viz., Mount Eden, Mount Hobson and Rangitoto, visible from every direction, whereas the present site, as proved on Saturday last, is inconvenient for general traffic, is isolated and is much more difficult to find on a dark night, and free from the danger of electric wires and telegraph posts. The present land frontage, now unhealthy swamp and stinking nuisance in a northerly wind to all south of it, could be made as beautiful as it is now unsightly, could be made a perfect recreation ground and the pride of all New Zealand. At the present time the Government has all the plant necessary on the spot. What better use could the unemployed and the funds collected for them be put to ? In conclusion, my offer of a £IOO toward this, reclamation still stands. John Whitney.

Sir, —1 was much impressed by your leading article of Monday last on l|:e above subject. Until lately Auckland has given the lead to all the cities in New Zealand by ...the benevolence of its citizens, in presenting large sums of money and valuable blocks of land and buildings to the city arid -citizens for the public good, but in the case of aviation Auckland is''the last, loneliest and loveliest, left out in the cold, all the other three cities having before now been presented with landing grounds. It seems that the only way to help and put the Auckland Aero Club in a secure position would be for some wealthy citizen or citizens to purchase the groupd and present it to the club, or city, to be dedicated for all time as a civic aerodrome site, or else for the City Council to purchase it themselves, lease it to the Aero Club and so keep control of it. L see that the Minister of Defence, Eon. T. M. Wilford, lately visited Wanganui to discuss the Wanganui Aero Club's proposal to form a municipal air port, with the object of making Wanganui the main break in the aerial journey from the South Island to Auckland. If a municipal air port is necessary in such a town as Wanganui, how much more vitally necessary is it in Auckland, the leading city in New Zealand. I see that the Minister said that in the next few years any town that does not possess a landing ground and air - port will be as out of date as a village with 110 railway station. He advised Wanganui to frame a definite scheme, showing what it could do and what the local body was prepared jtp do, and said he would advise them what assistance would be forthcoming from the Government. This is a hint to the Auckland Aero Club to interview the City Council, if private benevolence is not likely to come to their assistance, and supply them with a ground. Wings.