AERODROME SITE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22390, 9 April 1936, Page 17

AERODROME SITE

WHANGAREI PROBLEM HARBOUR BOARD'S ACTION CHAIRMAN'S EXPLANATION [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Wednesday "We want this thing decided as far as the Whangarei Harbour Board is concerned. The Harbour Board had no intention of infringing this committee's rights, when it resolved to apply to the Minister to be appointed an aviation authority to develop the Otaika area as a permanent aerodrome. Wo took the action we did with a view to advancing aviation in the district." This statement was made by Mr. J. A. Finlavson, chairman of the Whangarei Harbour Board, this afternoon at a meeting of the committee, comprising representatives of the local bodies and other organisations, formed to consider the question of providing a temporary aerodrome at Pohe Island pending the development of a permanent area at Otaika. The meeting to-day was convened at the request of the representatives of the Whangarei Harbour Bor,rd, the Whangarei Aero Club, and the Onerahi Town Board, who were not present at the meeting last week. Criticism was made at the last meeting by the Mayor, Mr. W. Jones, at the action of the Harbour Board in making the application to the Minister to be appointed an aviation authority, without informing the committee.

Pohe Island Inspected The Mayor, who presided this afternoon, said that since the last meeting of the committee, the Public Works Department's land purchase officer had inspected Pohe Island and reported to the Minister. Mr. Jones said he had asked Mr. J. ,G. Barclay, M.P., to send a copy of the report to the committee as soon as possible. Mr. J u A. Finlayson: What business was the committee called upon to consider at its last meeting ? The Mayor: I .cannot remember the details, but if the committee meeting had been more representative, it would bare had to settle whether the land purchase officer was to go on and inspect Pohe Island, in view of the report that the Harbour Board's engineer had stated that the Otaika area could be completed in about eight to 12 months. If the Harbour Board could develop Otaika as a permanent aerodrome in that t'.ne, was there any use going on with Pohe Island as a temporary aerodrome? No exception was taken to the Harbour Board as far as the Otaika area was concerned. The criti.cism is that it was stated that that area could be got ready in from eight to 12 months, whereas the committee was definitely informed by expert Government officials that it would take at least three years. The committee decided to have Pohe Island inspected. Mr. Finlayson: It is time something was done for a permanent aerodrome. The Harbour Board asked the Minister for authority to develop the Otaika area as permanent ground, and when developed it would resign in favour of the local bodies. In 1934 the Kioreroa area was offered by the Harbour Board, and it could have been developed as an aerodrome. We are the only authority that can operate, as wo own the land. We took the action we did to try and advance aviation in Whangarei, and we look to the Mayor to get behind us. I did not get my notice in time for the last meeting.

Denial ol Statement Continuing, Mr. Finlayson said the Harbour Board's engineer had noh stated that the authorities would not tolerate Poho Island as a temporary ground, but as a permanent ground. He also denied that it was stated at the Harbour Board meeting that the Otaika ground could be got ready for the use of aeroplanes in eight to 12 months. The Mayor: Then someone has been talking too much. Mr. Finlayson: Apart from this committee, do you not think something should be done to form an airport board? I believe overseas aeroplanes will ultimately land in Whangarei. The Mayor said he understood the Kioreroa area had been condemned by the aviation authorities. He suggested that the meeting should be adjourned until the report of the land purchase officer was received, when the mattor would be further discussed. This course was agreed to.