AN AVIATION CENTRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20595, 20 June 1930, Page 10

AN AVIATION CENTRE.

The Auckland Aero Club is to bo congratulated on its decision to acquire the freehold of its aerodrome at Mangere and to make this the club's permanent home. There was wisdom in limiting the tenure at first to a short lease, for aviation was then a new interest in this country and the choice of site was necessarily experimental. That stage has passed. Private interest in flight has proved to be amply sufficient to justify, even to demand, the facilities of a permanent landing ground, and it has become clear that arrangements for the future ought to be made on the basis of assured possession and control of those facilities. Moreover, the club's experience has indicated that, for its own purposes, the site is suitable. Its distance from the city, in view of the intention to develop other activities as well as flying and to establish there the amenities of a "country club," is offset by these considerations, and may even be deemed an advantage. Having sufficient funds to complete a cash purchase of the land and the formation of the required road, besides the setting apart an amount for replacement of machines and contingencies, the club is freed now from the major portion of its initial financial burden, and may reasonably anticipate successful administration. There remains to be met an amount, estimated at £SOOO, for removal of hangars, erection of new buildings, and buying of furniture and plant. It is suggested that the club should bo given financial aid by the City Council, but what the council may do in this way should be determined in the light of its responsibility, or share of responsibility, in connection with the provision of an official airport for Auckland. The club, in the meantime, has done the right thing in deciding upon a permanent location for its service to private flight.