AERODROME FOR OPOTIKI

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19258, 25 February 1937, Page 4

AERODROME FOR OPOTIKI

NO COST TO RATEPAYERS SERVICE TO GISBORNE RADIO BEACONS NEEDED Negotiations in connection with the construction of a terminal aerodrome at Opotiki, for the Auckland-Hay of Plenty aerial service, have been completed, and construction will commence immediately. The aerodrome will be an elaborate one, covering! over 109 acres of the .Waioeka Domain. The Aviation Department's ground engineer reported that the site was an excellent one, quite nee from obstructions.

The total cost of preparing the ground and the erection of the necessary buildings will be approximately £2500. The •■a Ino of the land is in the vicinity of £BOOO.

The Opotiki Borough Council and the Opotiki County Council were, expected to contribute towards the cost of the aero-

j'omo, but the Domain Board itself decided to contribute (he amount that hhotild have been paid by the two local bodies. The effect of this decision is that the Opotiki ratepayers will not have to find a penny towards Hie cost of establishing the aerodrome, states the Bay of Plenty Press.' The chief expense as far us the ground is concerned will be complete field-tiling; ■

The aerodrome is situated two mites from the Opotiki Post Office, on the eastern side of the Otara main road, and 'S bounded on one side by the racecourse road and on another by the Te Rere road. The Domain Board will be the authority controlling the aerodrome. An area will still be available for sports, and the grandstand will remain untouched.

Three hangars, the dimensions of each of which will lie ISCtt wide by 70ft deep, are to bo built on the ground.

The aviation authorities consider that the service will be commenced by u three-day time-table, and that Opotiki is likely to remain the terminus for some time. Tim .eason for this opinion is that it will be necessary to install radio beacons before the service can be extended to Gisborne because of the high ranges being often obscured by clouds. Nevertheless, there will be nothing to prevent planes from Gisbrtrne conveying passengers to Opotiki, to connect wltti ihe service to Auckland, when weather onditions pre favourable. When the radio beacon system is installed the service will be finally linked up with the Ea*t Coast Airways' service between iisborne and Napier.

The service between Auckland and Opotiki will be run via Tauranga. The •terodrome at the latter town will be the main 'drome between the terminals.