MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 16

MUNICIPAL AIRPORT.

COUNCIL ADOPTS REPORT. AERO CLUB'S SITE REJECTED. COMMERCIAL USE CONSIDERED. The report upon the selection of possible sites for a municipal airport for Auckland, presented by the Works Committee of the City Council throo weeks ago, was adopted by the council last evening. The committee named three sites, one at Point England, Tamaki, another at Mangere East, and the third in the central part of Mangere, which it considered would provide, with a moderate expenditure, all the facilities of a firstclass commercial airport. It recommended that in the event of -the report being adopted the coinmittoo be instructed to take such steps as were necessary to givo effect to the recommendations. The committee expressed the opinion that the airport should bo controlled by a board representing the whole district served, ou the lines of a harbour board. Mr. J. Dempsey, chairman of the committee, in moving the adoption of the report, pointed out that tho purpose which the committee had in view had been to find a site for a commercial airport, not an aerodrome suitable for a flying school or for the carrying on of flying as a sport. He had -loted a statement in the press by tho Auckland Aero Club to the effect that tho club's Mangere aerodrome would be suitable for all the needs of Auckland for a number of years to come. The committoo's inquiries showed that this ground would not make a second-class, and possibly not even a third-class, commercial airport. It gave no more than an 800 yds. runway along the line of the prevailing wind, whereas at least 1000 yds. was required. Tho report was adopted.