DOMINION AERODROMES

Evening Star, Issue 22446, 17 September 1936, Page 7

DOMINION AERODROMES

RAPID GROWTH GOVERNMENT FOSTERING ACTIVITIES llefercnce is made by the Minister of Works in the course of his Public Works statement to the rapid rate at which aerodromes are being provided in the Dominion. Detailing tile measures taken by the department in keeping abreast of these developments, he stated : A special branch has been established to work in conjunction with the civil aviation and air services branches of the Defence Department. In consequence of the quickened public interest and demand for air transport facilities and the development of the Air Force stations at Hobsonvilie and Wigram, much more rapid development of aerodromes and emergency lauding fields has been proceeded with than was originally contemplated. The development of aerodromes and emergency lauding grounds is being primarily concentrated to provide a chain of fields along the air routes which are either already in operation or shortly to be commenced. Forty aerodromes or lauding grounds were actually under construction during the year, and construction proposals are under consideration for an additional 60 or 70 fields. Work was provided on aerodrome construction tor a maximum number of 2,400 men, who might otherwise have been engaged on Jess productive work. Much of the greater portion of the expenditure to cover this work was made available from the unemployment funds, and a total of £202,860 was expended from this source. in addition, £3,464 was expended from the Consolidated Fund to cover the provision of tools, plant, materials, and overhead, £79,581 from Defence Department funds (including the £5,000 civil aviation vote), and an additional £4,854 from the Public Works funds, most of which is recoverable.