AIR FORCE ADDITION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20890, 23 August 1939, Page 9

AIR FORCE ADDITION

WOODBOURNE AERODROME PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION (By Telegraph.—Press Association) BLENHEIM, Tuesday The building of the new defence aerodrome at Woodbourne has been pushed ahead to a stage when it is possible to realise the dimensions of the undertaking. Contracts representing £94,000 of the £400,000 that the huge scheme will eventually absorb have been let and a number of them has been in progress for months. The staff accommodation buildings arc practically completed and the first of the permanent personnel will arrive in a few days. The framework of one of the giant hangars, each of which covers on acre of land, is now in readiness for the outer covering of corrugated iron. Several large sections of another are already in place, and the remainder have been cut out and bolted and laid out on the ground ready for lifting into position. Each hangar comprises 15 great trusses, and, as one can be fitted daily, it should be a matter of only a week or so before the second framework is erected. More Land Acquired The first of the men who are to be stationed at the aerodrome will arrive in Blenheim on September 1. There will be 14 officers and 50 men. It is understood no aeroplanes will be commissioned at the aerodrome until next April. The intervening period will be devoted to a thorough preliminary training and other preparatory work. Within recent weeks arrangements have been finalised by the authorities for taking over a further 17 acres of land on the opposite side of the Middle henwick Road. This is to be laid out as extension of the adjacent 35-acre building block of the aerodrome proper. The quarters for married officers and men will constitute a small settlement. for 26 wooden houses of varying designs are to be erected. Tenders for two have already been let and w r ork on the remainder will be commenced at an early date. Work is in progress on a 70ft. ovtagona! reinforced concrete water tower, in which 100,000 gallons of water will be stored and from which the pressure necessary to operate an elaborate sewerage and water scheme will be secured. The whole of the

I- " I ; building area is bisected bv four-inch and six-inch water mains and hydrants. WAR EXERCISES ATTACK ON AUCKLAND (By TelegTapn.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday i Exercises similar to those held off I Wellington Heads recently in which ; the army and air force co-operated ' in repulsing a naval attack will be held at Auckland next week. This was announced to-night by the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General J. E. Duigan. He said it was probable the . exercises would be held on .Monday.