AERODROME FREEHOLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20642, 14 August 1930, Page 10

AERODROME FREEHOLD.

AUCKLAND CLUB PURCHASE. EIGHTY ACRES AT MANGERE, / PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT. Completion of the purchase. by tli* Auckland aero club of the aerodrome afc Mangere hitherto leased by it was iin- , nounced yesterday by the club president, Mr. Spencer R. Mason. The price paitl for the 80 acres involved in the purchase was £7200. The vendor was Mr. W. MeRae Peacock. It is the club's intention u» extend the south-western boundary, and when grading has been completed the aerodrome will be suitable not only for light aeroplanes but for two and three- , engined aircraft. Plans are also prepared for a clubhouse to cater for the social side of the club's activities. . Mr. Mason said the club committee had carefully inspected possible aerodromo sites around Atickland and it was satis* fied that for its purposes and having regard to the funds available, it had obtained the best possible ground. The site had many advantages' of vital importance for an aerodrome and training ground. It had good approaches, was well drained and was free from power lines, buildings and fogs. A new road into - the aerodrome would be made about a mile and a-half nearer the city. Mr. Mason added that the cilub could not develop to the fullest possible extent without a permanent tenure. For the past year and a-half it had occupied the ground under a lease which would expire at the end of this year, and there was therefore no option but to acquire a permanent site. Tho aerodrome would l:a available for all aircraft and the club believed that it would serve the needs of the city and district until the growth of commercial aviation necessitated the cou« slriiction of a larger airport> The funds for the purchase and tha development of the aerodrome were raised at the end of last year by ail art union*