TARANAKI’S AIRPORT.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 40, 22 June 1929, Page 5

TARANAKI’S AIRPORT.

« The Mayor of Stratford (Mr JW. McMillan) presided, and extended a welcome to the visitors. He said the question of an airport for Tarar might be discussed, and such » discussion would be of value. There had been rivalry between Hawera and New Plymouth ,in reference to the airport for aranaki, but in the end the airport might be at Stratford. One difficulty was the finding of a suitable ground, but the district was happy in having as residents two farmer members of the Boyal Air Force in Messrs- H. F. Fleming -and A. . Graham. * .1- Mr Griffiths extended his congratulations to Stratford dh'ife decision to V form, an Aero Club, and wished tha movement every success. There was no antagonism between Hawera and New Plymouth as regards the airport. Both towns recognised that there was room for all possible development of, the air sense in Taranaki, to ensure that Taranaki did not lag behind in this new service. Mr Freyberg added his congratulations. He thought the matter of an airport was more a press cry than anything else. There was plenty of ' room for development of aviation in Taranaki and New Zealand, in the finding of suitable grounds along what, would in future be the chief aerial routes. At present aviation was in a small way in New Zealand, but in the past twelve months the advance imd been rapid and would be much more rapid in the future. Mr Connett said be bad not come to take part in the proceedings, but* he felt that as chairman of the Taranaki County Council and president of the Local Bodies Association he was pleased to be associated with the meeting- Stratford was noted for its enthusiasm and for getting what it set out to get. -• , Mr Winfield said Inglewood was about as near to the ground at Bell Block as New. Plymouth was, and would probably not form a club of its own. The New Plymouth Club should be called the North Taranaki Club.

NORTN TARANAKI BODY. Mr Spence said the New Plymouth Club was started) in a small way in the town, but now had members from all over North Taranaki. But for the. generousi action of Mr Connett in reference, to the ground the club would not be so prosperous as it was. More grounds were necessary, even for the New Plymouth club. The New Plymouth club would assist tho Stratford club in every way and lend itg ground if, necessary. The first things for a club to do were the acquirement of a ground and the. erection- of a hangar. .JSTlfr. B. Richards thought there should be a comprehensive body td take alotion in aviation on behalf of the province. '" On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Mr Richards, it was decided that the formation of an Aero Club was desirable, and 1 thai! the Stratford people present be a) commitjtee to search out a' suitable landing ground. !: Mr 9. A. Ward said there had been no exploration round Stratford", and

he believed a suitable ground could be found. « NO LIMIT TO GROUNDS. 'Mr Spence said the Hon. T. M. "Wilford had said that there must be an airport in Taranaki. The Minister was opposed to a multiplicity of small Aero Qlubs, but in Taranaki each centre might have a committee, and there need be no limit "toj the number of grounds. It was suggested that during the. present session legislation would be passed enabling local bodies to subsidise aviation activities whether within its district or not. Dr. Buist suggested that the provincial body might, be called the Taranaki Flying Club, to distinguish it from the Aero Clubs in each centre. Mr Walkley moved that a committee Be set up from the meeting, and making provision for the representation of hlltham, to explos© the possibility of forming a federation of Aero clubs in Taranaki.

Other speakers said one of the functions of the provincial body would be undertaking the teaching of flying. Mr Spence said that in time it would come aboiit that local bodies would take over the duty of providing grounds. As regards grounds, he believed that the Government would subsidise grounds where the subsioj would advance tho Government's interests, but Mr Wilford made it clea/r w)ould only follow a local body subsidy. Tho committee to be set up wHld be igneatly istiretogthened ill there were added to it representativo"of all local bodies. Mr McMillan said he was opposed to the taxpayers' money being spent for the encouragement of Aero Clubs. Mr Walkley's motion was carried, and 1 the aero organisations in n!l Tjaranaki towns are; to he asked to nominate persons to form the committee.