AIR TRANSPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22751, 11 December 1935, Page 6

AIR TRANSPORT

EMERGENCY LANDING GROUND PROPOSED SITE AT WAIKOUAITI A statement with respect to the steps that are heing taken, in view of the early commencement of air services, to acquire an emergency- landing ground at Waikouaiti was authorised by the chairman of the Finance Committee of the City Council (Cr : Silverstone) yesterday. The City Council, it was stated, was advised some time ago that it ' was essential, that an emergency landing ground- should be provided at Waikouaiti, which is outside the fog belt that is sometimes encountered in the approach to Dunedin from the north. The council's advice came from the Public Works Department, which had apparently made preliminary investigations, and it suggested a certain farm property as a suitable site. On making inquiries, the council found that the cost of the suggested area would be too high for the city to bear, and later it was discovered that a ground which might have some advantages over the farm property could be made near by on what is known as the sandhills area. This proposal was, therefore, placed before the Public Works Department, which is now carrying out investigations.. The responsibility of acquiring a site is on the City Council, but any necessary constructional work will be carried out by the Public Works Department. The.possibility of using the reclaimed portioh of the South Endowment as a landing ground is still under consideration by the Otago Harbour Board. On Saturday the Government's aviation engineer inspected the site, and he has undertaken to supply the board with a report on the suitability of the area as an Airport.