AERODROME SITE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 89, 12 October 1934, Page 13

AERODROME SITE

NELSON HARBOUR BOARD

RECLAMATION SUGGESTION

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

NELSON, October 11. Tho question of securing a suitable permanent site for an aerodrome in Nelson has beon discussed by various local bodies for quite a long period. The Nelson Harbour Board has shown considerable ' interest .in the matter, and that body has forwarded to the Minister of Marine a suggestion that about 100 acres of mudflat -to the north ofj the city bo reclaimed. The letter to the Minister stated:— "The Nelson Harbour Board has for some tinre' given the matter of- a- suggested site fov an aerodrome or airport for Nelson serious consideration and from time to. time has made offers of practical assistance towards the selection and formation of an airport, but so far without any result. The board is of the opinion that the time has arrived when definite action should be taken to • establish ah airport at Nelson, and it is appropriate that the establishment and control of such air port should form part of-the Harbour Board's functions. It seems likely in the comparatively near future that a considerable part of the .business traffic, between Nelson and Wellington will be by air. At present the whole traffic goes: over tire board's wharves, but with: the development of air traffic the board's revenues may bo seriously, affected and there seems no reason why harbour boards should not cater for air traffic by the provision of air ports where the local conditions and geographical situation are suitable. Apart from overseas freights tho bulk of the present Nelson trade inwards and outwards is between-Nelson and Wellington by steamer. . "The board is given to linclerstand that the most suitable site for an air. port for.Nelson is on the mudflats belonging to the board at tho. northern end of "the Nelson Harbour. The suggested site is within a few miles of Nelson City and easy access is available from the Wakapuaka Road, -which, is the main road to Blenheim and Christchurch, and bounds the mudflats for some miles. "The board's harbourmaster is of the opinion that the reclamation of an area required for an air port would not in any appreciable way affect the ebb and flow of the water in the harbour or in any way interfere with the efficiency of the port. The board would be glad to know if you will approve of the reclamation of an area suitable for an airport." . The present aerodrome at Stoke is maintained solely by the Nelson Aero Club. ,' '