AERODROME PLAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23382, 26 June 1939, Page 13

AERODROME PLAN

AUCKLAND FACILITIES INVESTIGATION OF SITE SURVEYS ALMOST COMPLETED Sufficient data to form an estimate of the cost of establishing an Auckland metropolitan aerodrome on tho upper reaches of the Manukau Harbour should soon he in the hands of the City Council, which is undertaking tho survey work on the area. This has been almost completed. The investigation of the possibilities of the site, which was begun on October 10 of last year, includes a complete close contour survey, a soil examination, the recording of meteorological data for the locality, an obstruction survey within a zone of one mile from the boundary of tho aerodrome and an investigation of road access.

Reviewing the progress of tho work, the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, said the contour survey involved t»'ie taking of levels at some 6000 points over the 600acre area. A total of 1300 holes had been sunk for the soil survey, varying in depth from 7ft. Gin. to 32ft., samples being taken at two-chain intervals in both directions. The field work in connection with the soil survey had been completed, and that relating to the contour examination was nearly finished. A few weeks should see the completion of the road and obstruction surveys.

The gathering of meteorological data had included the observation of tides, rainfall, wind velocity and visibility, Sir Ernest said. A great proportion of the work had related to tides, and as the holes for the soil survey were in many cases through soft mud, the work had not been without its difficulties for the engineers. Sir Ernest expressed his appreciation of the results already obtained by the city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, and his staff. The cost of the investigation of the site was estimated to be £2OOO, toward which the Government was to contribute £IOOO.

In the report of the committee of Government experts, released last July, the probable cost of developing the site was set down at £164,000, of which between £50,000 and £62,000 was for reclamation of the area by the construction of a stone-protected embankment with flood gate and pumping equipment, £37,000 for road access and £77,000 for the initial formation and grass surfacing of the three runways, including drainage, and the purchase of 60 acres of higher land for building sites and filling material.