TAIERI AIRPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23897, 26 August 1939, Page 7

TAIERI AIRPORT

EXTENSION OF LANDING FIELD PROPOSED NEW HIGHWAY TAIERI COUNTY’S ASSISTANCE SOUGHT The extension of the North Taieri airport to embrace a further 105 acres will necessitate an entirely different approach to the aerodrome, and at its monthly meeting yesterday the Taieri County Council was asked to contribute a share of the cost of forming a new highway. The extension of the aerodrome will result in the closing of the portion of the Gladstone highway between the Silverstream and its junction with the Dunedin-Duke’s road highway.—After a full discussion, the council decided to approve of the proposal and to contribute up to £IOOO towards the cost of the new deviation. The Proposed Deviation In his letter, the board’s representative on the District Highways Council (Mr P. Keller) stated that the proposal was to construct a new road to highway standard from Fisher’s corner to Duke’s road, approximately 100 chains east of the Central Otago railway line. This road would be practically level throughout, with the exception of a very slight rise where it crossed Mill road. “It is felt,” Mr Keller wrote, “ that this connection should be a wonderful asset to race traffic, as all Dunedin traffic could be controlled via the new route and Duke’s road, which is being improved throughout to highway standard. The scheme has been tentatively approved by the board, and I have been instructed to submit it officially for the council’s approval. Provided the council agrees to the revocations of the present highway, the board will agree to the declaration of the road from Sharpe’s corner to Fisher’s comer as a highway and similarly from Fisher’s comer to Duke’s road. Cost of £13,000 "The cost of the new highway is tentatively figured at £13,000,” the letter continued. “As the necessity is primarily due to the requirements of the Taieri airport, it* is anticipated that a substantial portion of the cost will be borne by the aerodrome vote. The proposal would result in a sealed road of highway standard, and, therefore, of a considerably higher standard than the present Gladstone highway, and a contribution from the Taieri Council might reasonably be expected. “The advantage of the proposal from the Jockey Club’s viewpoint has already been referred to, and the board feels that that club should make a liberal contribution. I am, therefore, writing to the club exnlaining the proposal and seeking its views on the matter.” The council decided to approve of the proposal and advise the board that, on a subsidy basis of three to one, it would agree to contribute up to £ 1000 towards the cost of the whole undertaking.