AERODROME SITE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 28, 14 May 1947, Page 5

AERODROME SITE

COUNCIL DISCUSSION ACTION TO BE TAKEN Cr. H. G. Warren introduced the subject of an aerodrome into the discussion at the Borough Council meeting on Monday. He stated that the sandhills site had everything in its favour. The land could be acquired cheaply and offers had been made to loan bulldozers and earth moving equipment for the purpose of bringing the area in.

The estimated cost of building an aerodrome capable of taking the largest passenger planes operating in the world would be between £16,000 and £17,000. A smaller ground capable of taking “feeder” aircraft would not cost near as,much. Other councillors mentioned the difficulty of bringing in sand, but the golf links were quoted as an example of what could be done in this direction.

The area was mostly Crown land and if the Government would withhold the leasing of it until something could be done Cr Warren was sure some progress would be made.

Cr Sullivan outlined previous efforts towards obtaining an aerodrome and Mr L. D. Lovelock mentioned the previous meeting at which a full report for presentation to the Minister of Works, Mr Semple. Mr Semple visit to Whakatane had not materialised and no progress had been made.

It was decided to call a meeting of the combined conjmittee to draw* a full report of the proposed aerodrome undertaking with a request to the Government to withhold the leasing of the sandhills site. This would be taken and presented to the correct authority by Cr Sullivan.