AIRPORT ENLARGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24710, 12 September 1941, Page 3

AIRPORT ENLARGED

DEVELOPMENT AT RONGOTAI AREA NOW 106 ACRES A further enlargement of Rongotai (Airport, which will carry the boundary of the flying field almost to the walls of the main Exhibition buildings, now occupied bv the air force, has been formally approved by the Government. This extension will fit in with the scheme for enlarging the airport till its northern boundary is on the shore of Evans Bay. It is an addition of 21 acres, and will make the area of the field 106 acres. This is the third extension ot the aerodrome. Originally it was 66 acres with its western boundary on Kingsford Smith street, near the Wellington Aero., Club building. Later Kingsford Smith street was moved westward to add 14j acres and lengthen the eastwest runway. Two years ago a small area was taken from the Miramar Golf Club and some filling done on the Lyall Bay boundary, which added 4£ acres and improved the north-south runway at a cost of £IB,OOO, Some months ago the new Kingsford Smith street was closed, and though aeroplanes can be taxied across from the aerodrome to the old Exhibition grounds, some of the Exhibition buildings will have to be removed and some ground filled in before full use of the new area can be obtained An acre and a-half has been acquired from a private owner to improve the northern boundary of the new'area. The total cost will be about £15,000.