AERODROME PROPOSAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 58, 23 March 1943, Page 5

AERODROME PROPOSAL

AREA NEAR TE TEKO INSPECTION TO BE MADE Delegates from the Whakatane Borough Council and' Chamber of Commerce met and! disicussed with members of the Whakatane County Council the prospects of establishing an aerodrome in this district to serve post war need's at a special meeting convened by the Council last Thursday. Mr J. L. Burnett presided and as an outcome it was decided to make an inspection of an area of some 340 acres at Te Teko, hitherto utilised by the County as a. plantation; for pftius insignus; Mi Burnett in opening the meeting said that it was important, that some provision should be made for an aerodrome, a facility which, would be widely used in years to come. It was ior the meeting to discuss the. possible locality, the size ancl the cost. If Whakatane wanted to I)c in the post-war picturc an airport was of primary importance. Mr B. S. Barry said that the Borough Council had. handled the position from time to time and as laite as 1941 had approached the Government on the subject. They had definitely been, told however that the Government, was only interested in military aerodromes. He asked if the County had any actual site in mind. Old Pinus Plantation Mr Burnett stated that consideraton had been given to the triangular piece of ground at Te Teko hitherto used as: a pinus planation. This area contained 34.0 acrcs, had a pumice subsoil, required no draining, was free of obstructions and was fairly situated on the plains. He suggested that it was worthj' of serious consideration. Mr C. F. Thomas: Now that thewar outlook is much brighter and rehabilitation is being planned we might, get a better hearing than when the JBorough approached the. Government. General Discussion Tn the general discussion which followed it was considered that the scheme if it could once be decided upon would receive sympathetic treatment as a rehabilitation venture in the after war period. It. was neccssan" to have everything in readiness to take advantage of the opportunity to get a substantial subsidy the Government supervisory powers and recognition. It was thought also necessary to have an inspection made by an officer from the Aviation Department in an advisory capacity before any definiteaction should be taken. 'Borough representatives thought the distance from the t.own might endanger the sympathy from the Borough ratepayers. •Mr C. H. Brcbner, County Engineer,, gave it as. his opinion that to concrete the runways in order to make the field a permanent airport with the most modern appurtenances would cost £26,000 alone. lit would not be necessary however, in his opinion to do this at once.. The meeting finally decided 1 to leave the matter open for the; Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce to discuss the project at their next meetings and; to report back their findings at a further joint meeting.