ERODROME PROPOSAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 72, 14 May 1943, Page 5

ERODROME PROPOSAL

SECURE LAND FIRST

BOROUGH COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE

Discussing the letter from the Counity Council! which invited details of proposed si'tes for the suggested aerodrome for this

district, the Whakatane Borough

Council at its meeting expressed the unanimous opinion that the most urgent thing to do' was to have an inspection made of

tfie plains( by a qualified l officer

- and) thereafter to lose no time ~ in procuring a suitable area and

hold it in readiness for develop- , r ment in the post war period.

' Cr Sullivan said that it would be iutile for cither the Borough, or the County to select properties or areas without, the assistance of a fully qualified aero-engineer. If the aerodrome was, seriously wanted by both bodies then no time should be lost in obtaining the . services of such

an officer. He traced thq early his-

' t-ory of the move to establish an in the district and added that it was entirely wrong to as- • sume that the Borough had been disinterested at any time.

Cr Creeke: Are we going to seriously consider the proposal?

The Mayor: Certainly, I think we should make every effort to get an aerodrome in this district.

Cr Sullivan: We should first get the land. That is the most irnport--ant. thing and hold it. I don't think \vq could, lose on it for it could still ? "be made productive.

Cr Shapley thought there was no ' haste and advised waiting till the -end of the war. . The Mayor: No, we'll miss 'altogether if we do that. Cr Canning: We've got 150.000 -acres of llat land around this town ancl we don't seem to be able, to a piece suitable for an aerodrome. V, Cr Shapley: We want more information about the type of 'planes likely to be used. The. council decided, to reply to J the County Council to the effect that it considered an expert was re* 'quired as a primary measure, and that a selection should be made .after his advice.