£l0,000 TO BE SPENT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20330, 13 June 1934, Page 5

£lo,ooo TO BE SPENT.

Hobsonville Air Base Improvements. ROOM FOR NEW MACHINES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 12. Approval has been given to a proposal to carry out extensive improvements at the Hobsonville air base, including the regrading of a large part of the surface of the present landing ground. The work is to be carried out by relief labour under the supervision of the Public Works Department, and it is understood that arrangements have been concluded with the Unemployment Board for the allocation of the necessary funds. It is estimated that the wages to be distributed will be in the vicinity of £IO,OOO. The improvements to the landing ground will give a better surface and longer runway, the latter being necessary to provide facilities for the heavier machines which are now on order and are to be housed at Hobsonville. These are four of the eight Vickers Vildebeest reconnaissance flying machines ordered by the Government. They are expected to reach Auckland before the end of the year. Other preparations for these machines, although not included in the arrangement just made, will be the erection of a new hangar measuring approximately 150 ft by 150 ft, and a number of dwellings which it is oroposed to build on the additional 28 acres of land recently acquired by the Defence Department.