NEW AERODROMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23026, 2 May 1938, Page 11

NEW AERODROMES

£1,000,000 ABSORBED EXPENDITURE CONTINUING HAWERA GROUND OPENED [BT TEI.EGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT]] HAWERA, Sunday Speaking at the official opening of tho Hawera aerodrome yesterday, the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, said that New Zealand was on the verge of developments in military and civil aviation far beyond the scope of anything yet experienced. It was necessary and important for a centro of population to have an aerodrome as to have a railway station. Working in close collaboration with local and Government aviation authorities, and having in mind the provision of useful work for the local unemployed, the Government had expended on wages and materials approximately £IO,OOO on the Hawera work. Mr. Semple said that so far 38 aerodromes had been completed in the Dominion at a cost of £1,000,000, and 32 were under construction. The cost for this year alone would be £300,000. In addition 50 other aerodrome sites were under consideration. An air pageant, in which 13 machines took part, was held in celebration of tho opening of the aerodrome. Airmen present included Fly-ing-Officers J. Buckeridge, AssistantDirector of Aviation, Inn Keith (New Plymouth), A. Tancred (Wanganui), Messrs. B. Havbittle (Auckland), J. R. Franklin (Wanganui) and FlightLieutenant Rawnsley (Wellington). There was a largo attendance of the public. A parachute display was given by Mr. G. W. Sellars, of Auckland.