LAND FOR DEFENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 June 1938, Page 8

LAND FOR DEFENCE

AREA TAKEN IN AUCKLAND DISTRICT. PRESUMABLY AS AERODROME. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 1. The taking for defence purposes of an area of approximately 600 acres of land in the vicinity of Whenuapai, in the Waitemata survey district, is announced in the Gazette by the Minister of Public Works. It is stated that the land is taken under the Public Works Act, and that the proclamation becomes effective as from May 26. Although the Gazette ' notice contains no suggestion of the purpose for which the land has been taken, other than that it is for defence purposes, the belief is general that the area will comprise the new defence aerodrome mentioned by the Minister of Defence, the Hon F. Jones, at Dargaville, recently, as being contemplated at Whenuapai. The price paid for the land, which is held by a number of farmers, is not disclosed. The block of land lies approximately two miles north-west of the present Royal New Zealand Air Force base at Hobsonville. Most of the land in the vicinity is being farmed and is generally flat and unbroken by creeks or hills. There are, however, a number of houses, as well as trees and hedges on the area recently surveyed, which comprises the whole of soine owners’ holdings and parts of others.

In his recent review of the defences of New Zealand, Mr Jones mentioned that the Government had approved of the formation of two new operational stations, one at Ohakea, near Feilding, and one probably at Whenuapai. It is understood that the 30 Vickers Wellington bombers ordered by the Governnment will be allocated to these two stations. That the establishment of the new operational station at Whenuapai would not mean the abandonment of the Hobsonville base was suggested by the Minister. He mentioned that the Government had approved of the establishment of Hobsonville as a repair base and stores depot and buildings are at present under construction for the accommodation of a larger staff.