THE AERODROME PROPOSAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 29, 16 May 1947, Page 4

THE AERODROME PROPOSAL

A FURTHER furtive step in the dubious progress towards establishing Whakatane’s prospective aerodrome was fulfilled at the Borough Council meeting last Monday, when it was arranged to call a further meeting of the combined committee for the purpose of furnishing the M.P. for the district with new data for submission to the Air Department. The long-drawn process, which the community of this district seems to revel in, or at least tolerate, goes forth a further uncertain step; this after eighteen months since the formation of the Aero Club, and some ten years since the County and Borough played battledore and shuttlecock with the first proposal. Why, when backed by 60,000: acres of level country, this district is unable to find a meagre hundred for all-important aviation is not merely an inscrutable mystery but a positive slur upon our imagination arid our intelligence. Cr. H. G. Warren opines that the cost for a large aerodrome will cost £17,000. Our local body members fire naturally cautions when it comes to the expenditure of public money, over-cautiousness in this very subject in the past has cost the ratepayers dear, and may if continued a little longer result in the disastrous fact that our town and district will be the only remaining centre of importance in the Dominion without a link in the air service lines of communication and transport now being established. Too long prior to the war did we dally and consult long-windedly with each other; too long since the war have we been guilty of the same behaviour; toying belatedly with the propositions offering; conferring and appealing to the Government for assistance. It might be rather refreshing to help ourselves for a change. At least posterity will thank us!