GISBORNE'S AIR PORT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17236, 16 April 1930, Page 6

GISBORNE'S AIR PORT

REPORT ON PROPERTY

TWO RUNWAYS PROPOSED

A report on Maehell's paddock, on which tile proposed Gisborne airport is to be cstablislied, was placed before the Cook County Council to-day in copies of correspondence forwarded by the Town Clerk, Air. R. D. 15. Robinson. Under date of April 9, Major L. M. Isitt, in charge of the air base at Auckland, had forwarded a copy of his orig inal report on Maehell’s paddock. ITio report was as under : T again visited the site on Monday, April 7, with Mr. Thornton, District Engineer, and the Town Clerk. The Borough Engineer was unfortunately sick.

“A preliminary survey has been made, and it is considered that without undertaking extensive filling, the cost of which would be prohibitive, the best that can be done with the present area is to provide two runways 150 yards wide, one 550 yards and the other 600 yards long, and a central area 300 yards square. The power lines on the south referred to in the previous report will have to be buried or moved.

“The purchase of the site was recommended as it is situated on a well drained subsoil and is not subject to floods, as is the greatest portion of the surrounding flat country and although . the area it is proposed to purchase at present does not provide for further expansion except by expensive construction, the property to the west and to the south, if acquired, would provide for any expansion. These properties are unlikely to be used for other than farming purposes for many years. “The. District Engineer, Public Works Department., is preparing an estimate as to the cost of necessary work and its suitability as unemployed relief work.” In a'description of the ground, threo miles south-west of Gisborne, Major Isitt stated that the surrounding country was open and flat, hut the ground was very rough. It could provide if levelled and surfaced, runways north, south, east and west, 600yds long and minim, urn landing in any direction of 300yds. It was 17ft above sea level. The surfaco conditions were very uneven, impossible to work at present, but if sufficient work were -doho they could be made good, and provide an exceptionally dry area. Tlio power line on the south would have to be removed. The ground was on a good road, which ran through a pond, but lie was assured that tlio pond was always fordable 'by a motor car. The matter of unemployment relief works mentioned in the report was referred to in correspondence between tlio Town Clerk and the Minister of Finance, on whose behalf the ITon. G. W. Forbes replied. j

Tlio Town Clerk had mentioned that it was trusted the Government would again grant a subsidy for unemployment relief works for the coming winter as had hitherto been the practice. • The Minister’s reply was: ,“It is regretted that the Government can give no undertaking at present to resume the granting of subsidies to local authorities for tha relief of unemployment.”