RONGOTAI AIRPORT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16874, 11 February 1929, Page 10

RONGOTAI AIRPORT

MINISTERIAL INSPECTION

VALUABLE ABM OF DEFENCE !'.Nd greater help can be given by local authorities to-day in connection with the. defence of New'Zealand than by assisting in the construction of suitable landing places throughout the country, as such landing places are absolutely necessary for quick mobilisation if trouble arose at any given point." This statement was made by the Minister of Defence, Hon. T. M. Wflford, when outlining to a Dominitin representative the outcome of his visit of inspection, in companv with the 'Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, of the proposed au--purt at liougotai, Wellington. The Minister explained that a thorough inspection was made of the area, which ho believed to bo an ideal spot lor a landing place. "I pointed out to the Mayor, however," Mr. "Wilford added, "that the Government at present was concentrating on tvvo aerodromes —one at Sockburn where land planes were used for training pilots, and tho other at Hobsonville, where the- property purchased would provide not only an area for land planes but also for seaplanes." The Hobsonville area, the Minister explained, was a.'perfect site for both kinds of planes, in that the arm of the harbor touched the site, _ and at present a modern slipway was being constructed there, so that the Fame flying boats, which would arrive later, could be placed there. The Minister said he had pointed out to the Mayor that while the site proposed at Rongotai seemed an ideal one for land planes, and for- commercial purposes, the site "was not on the waterfront, and there could be no slipway provided to take the. flying boats. ' The Minister and the Mayor proceeded to a point just south of the 'area, where it was suggested a slipway might be constructed, and Mr. Wilford promised to provide expert advice as to whether such a place was suitable for a slipway. Th the course of conversation with 'Mr. Troup, tho Minister said he pointed'out that hangars at Hobsonville had Been constructed on the latest English designs —higher than the hangars at Sockburn —so as to house, the new type of construction of air machines., . „