SITE FOR AERODROME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20594, 19 June 1930, Page 13

SITE FOR AERODROME.

FLYING CLUB'S DECISION.

MANGERE GROUND ADOPTED.

PROPOSALS FOR PURCHASE.

CITY COUNCIL'S AID DESIRED.

The adoption of tho Mangero aerodrome as the permanent homo of the Rockland Aero Club was recommended by members at tho annual meeting last evening. At present tho aerodromo is lensed by tho club at a nominal rental. This lenso expires on January 31 next and if tho proposals discussed last evening a ro g' vc " (o > *' lo will bo purchased by tho club. Certain support, however, will be necessary from tho City Council under tho legislation passed by parliament last year. The chairman, Mr. S. Mason, said tho suggest ions wero put forward in view of the fact that uuder tho present financial conditions the City Council would not be inclined to embark upon any of tho very expensivo schemes indicated in Mr. Tyler's reports. '

The Committee's Report.

The report presented to the meeting ' stated that the committeo had been alive to tho necessity for a permanent home for tho club and had it in view when embarking on tho recent art union. "The country within reasonable distance of the city has been extensively inspected, both from tho air and on tho ground," continues the report. "As a result the committee is of opinion that the existing ground is eminently suitable for a permanent landing ground having regard to initial cost and all the features of importance to a school aerodrome, among the chief of which are:—Approaches, surrounding country, probability of freedom from future obstructions, drainago of the land and weather conditions. "It has been urged that tho distance from the city is a serious detriment and ■ no doubt this is an important factor, but it has to be remembered that tho great increase in cost of land closer to tho city would make such laud practically prohibitive. Moreover, tho expansion of the city and suburbs ultimately might cause a ground now suitable to become unsuitable. It is difficult to imagine that the present ground will ever become seriously affected by close settlement, particularly on account of the water front- / age-

Estimates of Costs. "With regard to transport the hours of instruction are such that even closer to the city the existing systems are not generally available. The general feeling 'is that the club should develop other activities as well as flying, much on the lines of a 'Country Club,' and from this aspect tho distance from tho city is diminished in importance.

"The area comprises 82 acres and the cost of purchase is given as £B2OO, but after allowing for £2OOO for levelling, the city engineer estimates it at £2700, and £750 for formation >of 23 chains of road the cost, without buildings, is brought up to £10,950. The liquid assets of the club total approximately £13,000, but it is considered that £2OOO should be kept available for replacement of machines and contingencies, thus leaving £II,OOO available for the scheme. Thus, after purchasing the land for cash, practically nothing ■will be available for removal of hangars, erection of new buildings, furniture and plant. It is anticipated that the lastmentioned items would probably absorb at least £SOOO, so it is clear that extra money must be obtained from somewhere. "The Auckland City Council has recently made prolonged and thorough investigations into the question of the formation of an airport for Auckland. It has recommended several sites which run ill cost to £50,000 and over. _ Should the council undertake this job it would be necessary to hold a poll of ratepayers for the purpose of raising a loan, and the annual loss in interest to the council would be considerable for some years to come.

Making up Deficiency of £SOOO. "It is anticipated that should the club purchase and level the Mangere ground thero would be no necessity for the council to provide any further landing grounds, and in consideration of this your committee suggests that the City Council should be requested to make a grant to the club for the purpose of making up the deficiency of £SOOO. Legislation was passed last year in the shape of the Local Authorities Empowering (Aviation Encouragement) Bill. This gavo the City Council power to assist recognised aviation authorities by making grants out of its general fund up to a maximum amount which is fixed bv the bill as an amount equal to its possible unauthorised expenditure. It is felt that tho City Council, in view of this most economical way of providing for tho present and future requirements of the city, should give this suggestion the most earnest consideration. "The cost of buildings and other improvements is, of course, little better than a guess, because it is not possible to anticipate what tho committee would ultimately decide upon as suitable buildings. The additional interest charge on tho outlined scheme would be £196 a year "

The opinions expressed by members during discussion were in favour of the retention of the Mangere site. The report was received and tho permanent adoption of the aerodrome approved.