AIR BASE IMPROVEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 21745, 13 June 1934, Page 14

AIR BASE IMPROVEMENTS

RELIEF WORK WAGES OF £IO,OOO INVOLVED [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, dime 12. •Approval Las been given, to, the proposal to carry out extensive improvements at the Hobsonville air base,'including the regrading of a- laxge part of the surface of the present landing ground. The work is to. be carried out by relief labour - under the .supervision of the,Public Works Department,’ and it is understood that arrangements have been concluded with the Unemployment Board for the allocation of' the necessary funds. It is estimated that the wages to be distributed, will be in the vicinity of £10,000., The improvements. to, the landing ground will give a better surface and a longer runway, the latter being necessary- to provide facilities for the heavier machines which are now on order and arc to be housed in Hobsonville. . There are four of the eight Vickers Vildebeest. reconnaissance flying machines, ordered by the Government that are expected to reach Auckland before the end of the year. Other , preparations for these machines, although not included in the arrangement just made, will be the erection of a new hangar measuring approximately 150 ft by 130 ft, .and a nuriiber of dwellings which it is proposed to build on the additional 28 acres of land recently acquired by the Defence Department. '