AIRPORT FOR AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20887, 1 June 1931, Page 12

AIRPORT FOR AUCKLAND.

FAILURE OF NEGOTIATIONS. DISAPPOINTMENT EXPRESSED. Disappointment at the failuro of tho local bodies to agree upon the proposal to establish a commercial airport in Auckland was expressed by speakers at tho opening of the Auckland Aero Club's clubhouse at Mangera on Saturday. When tho last conference of local body representatives was held toward tho end of last year a deadlock ensued, many of tho local authorities not being prepared to commit themselves to the necessary expenditure. The president of the club, Mr. Spencer R. Mason, in welcoming the visitors, said it was appropriate that the clubhouse should bo opened by the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, who, when he was a member of tho City Council two years ago, moved a resolution which had for its object the investigation of sites suitable for tho establishment of an airport. In that connection some very useful work was done by the city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, whose report was of great value.

The scheme did 110 L come to fruition, but the club was proud to know that it had provided for Auckland an aerodrome which was of the greatest importance to the development of aviation. Until such time as requirements demanded an airport in Auckland, the Mangere aerodrome would be open for the use of commercial machines (Applause.) Mr. Hutchison said the establishment of an airport was a matter in which he had taken a great interest. When ho moved the resolution in the council Auckland seemed to be lagging behind in commercial aviation, especially in respect to the provision of landing places for aeroplanes and the carriage of mails between the centros of population. The City Council spent 12 months searching for a suitable site for an airport, and he regretted that the hope he cherished of the civic authorities and the Auckland Aero Club co-operating in the direction of combining the club with the proposed airport had not matured. The failure of that scheme to eventuate was, in his opinion, a matter ' for disappointment. Perhaps the civic authorities had not been quick enough to suit the club in bringing their plans forward.