CIVIL AVIATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18865, 16 November 1935, Page 16

CIVIL AVIATION

WAIROA AIRPORT COMBINED DEPUTATION (Herald Correspondent.) At the last meeting of the Wairoa County Council, a combined deputation from the Waiioa Chamber of Commerce. Wairoa Borough Council, and the local Aero Club waited on the council on the subject of providing an airport for Wairoa, Cr W. J. Hill introducing the members as follows: Chamber of Commerce, Mr S. M. Ashburn, president. A. J. Steed and G- deV. Robinson; Borough Council, M. J. Gcmmell, deputy-Mayor, and Cr. V. E. Winter; Aero Club and Farmers' Union, Mr D h. Withers.

Mr Ashburn, the chief spokesman, said he. and Messrs Robinson and Steed had been selected to represent the Chamber of Commerce to point out the necessity for taking steps to establish an airport at Wairoa, and they wanted the co-operation of the Borough Council and the County Council. All thai was necessary at the present time was to agree to set. up a sub-committee to push the movement. They had tried previously to get the necessary informatio.i to put a scheme into operation, but the only way to secure it was by forming a combined committee, and then they could get what was required. In this he was assured the promoters would have all the assistance that the Chamber of Commerce, the Farmers' Union and the Aero Club could give, though as. far as the chamber was concerned they did not ask for any representation of the committee. It seemed a shame to see the planes passing overhead, and he believed that if an airport were provided good business could be done and there was a real necessity for it.

Mr Robinson, after detailing i/he provisions of the Empowering Act, said it was evident, that the first tiling to do was to set up, from the local bodies, a combined committee, and the deputation asked that this now be done. That committee would go into the figures and facts from all angles, and at this stage he felt sure that the council recognised the necessity for taking the steps suggested. This committee, when set up would be able to get Government assistance which the Chamber of Commerce could not get, and it was vital to success to have the Government behind the committee. The chairman asked in whom would tho airport be vested if secured.

Mr Robinson: In the local bodies interested. Mr A. J. Steed said that an aerodrome to provide a, landing ground suitable to accommodate aeroplanes of tin', type used by the East Coast Airways, Limited, must have an area sufficient to give a clear space of 600yds., namely a circle of 600yds. This would involve an area of at least 70 acres. The speaker then went into details of the cost of the land, and the necessary improvements, estimated at about £33CO. If this amount was found by the local bodies interested for the purchase and development of an aerodrome the cost to the local bodies would be approximately as follows: Loan of £3,300 for 35 years with interest at 3| per cent and sinking fund, £165 per annum, or at 4A per cent, £176 16s per annum--0:i the revenue side it was likely that the Aero Club would maintain it if the land was leased to that body for a certain term, after which it would, perhaps, pay a rental. These figures were only approximate, and when the combined committee was set up all the districts could be finalised.

Mr Gemmeil said the Borough Council had taken up this matter about two years ago, ami it had been discussed several times .since. The Chamber of Commerce wailed on the council, and though not able to furnish any definite figures then the council was in favor of setting up a combined committee. It was felt that the establishment of an airport would be of value to the whole county, and would be a good asset in the future, linking up Wairoa with the rest of the Dominion when flying became the chief mode of transport. Mr Withers, speaking for the Farmers' Union and the Aero Club, said that both were willing to assist in any way possible, as they realised the value of this mode of travel. The Aero Club, it was estimated, would be an incorporate body very soon. The great difficulty up to the present had been to secure a suitable landing ground, and recent developments suggested that a ground should now be selected that would do for all time. It was now suggested that there must be a runway of 600yds., meaning an acreage of 70 acres. The young men of Wairoa were now. becoming greatly interested in flying, and if a committee were set up the club would be willing to carry on the maintenance and build their own hangars.

The chairman said that no doubt in course of time flying would become a regular means of transport. Mr Winter endorsed the remarks of the. previous speakers, and after a few questions had been answered the deputation withdrew, and later a sub-com-mittee comprising the chairman, and Crs Hill and Carrol was set up to meet Die Borough Council sub-committee.