GISBORNE AERODROME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22544, 8 October 1936, Page 12

GISBORNE AERODROME

WORK AT DARTON FIELD DELAYS DUE TO WEATHER [BY TKLKGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT] GISBORNE, Wednesday Continued dry weather is militating to a marked degree against the possibility of East Coast Airways, Limited, resuming the Gisborne-Napier service at the beginning of next month. The growth of grass on Barton Field is still too immature to provide a good binding medium for the surface of the aerodrome, and it is estimated that a week's intermittent rain alone would be sufficient to establish- the growth firmly, and so prevent the surface from moving under the influence of prevailing winds and the slipstream of the aeroplanes, should they be brought into employment again within the next few weeks. Inspections of the ground have been made at intervals by officials of the company, with a view to estimating the chances of resuming the service next month, but a decision as to whether the licence of Darton Field should be restored during November, or at any time before autumn, rests with the Controller of Civil Aviation, who, no doubt, will act on the recommendation of the Public Works Department's officers at Gisborno. The reconstruction of the runways of Darton Field has been delayed by adverse circumstances since its inception last March. Dry weather and westerly winds threaten to extend the closure of the aerodrome for a further three or four months.

COOK STRAIT SERVICE ANOTHER MACHINE NEEDED [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] NELSON. Wednesday In order to cope with West Coast traffic, Cook Strait Airways. Limited, have obtained permission from the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Scmple, to obtain another De Havilland Rapide. This aeroplane will be similar to the third Rapide which has just been assembled at the company's workshops at Nelson, and which was tested yesterday, when it proved to be in perfect order.