CROMWELL AIRPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26275, 5 October 1946, Page 8

CROMWELL AIRPORT

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS FREIGHT SERVICE ADVOCATED As was shown recently by the largest public meeting ever held in the district, Cromwell and its surrounding country has become probably more airminded than most other towns in Otago. As a result of the unanimous approval of the district that a modern airport should be established at the present landing field, a deputation comprising the Mayor (Mr W. Partridge), Mr J. R. Munro, president of the Cromwell Aero Club, and Mr Claude Capell, representing the country districts, left on Thursday to wait on the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry. The wish of the district is that a well-equipped airport should be established at Cromwell, and that a freight service should be commenced as soon as possible. Such a service could link up with a Dunedin freight time table and would be invaluable in taking fruit and other perishable goods from the district and taking urgent supplies, newspapers and mail to Cromwell. In conjunction with such a service, or following its establishment, it is hoped that a passenger service would be operated. Not only are the means of transport to the town and district somewhat slow and inadequate at present, but Cromwell lies at the junction of the roads to the tourist resorts of Queenstown, Wanaka and Hawea and serves a wide district. The Cromwell landing ground is probably the largest in Central Otago, and could be developed with little expense. Even at the present time it is in fairly regular use, and pilots speak well of it. A recent visitor to the landing ground was Mr H. T. Morton, M.P., of Waitemata, who was flying his own Rearwin Sporster plane. Several other planes have also made use of the ground, and in one case a plane took off with a load of three tons and a-half. Residents of the district arc hopeful that the deputation to the Ministers will be successful, and that Cromwell will soon have a commercial airport and a regular service with Dunedin and northern centres.