BEACONS 'DROME

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 152, 15 July 1937, Page 6

BEACONS 'DROME

Necessary Buildings For £3500' BUILDER'S ESTIMATE v ■ ■ - .# An estimate that buildings on the Beacons aerodrome sufficient for the requirements of the airport for several years could be erected for £3,500 was given the Napier Airport Board by Mr H. Edwards,'- of Wellington, who in* spected the site yesterday. Mr Edwards has built several aerodromeB iu New Zealand, including one at Nelson for Cook Strait Airways. The "chairman of the Napier Airportj Board, Mr T. W. Hercock, told a , Herald-Tribune representative thia . morning that Mr Edwards, who flew from Wellington to Hastings yesterday in his private aeroplane, had visited the Beacons aerodrome in company with members of the board and had given a general idea of the type of -aerodrome buildings that would be roquired, together with an approximatf estimate of the cost of erection. Tha buildings, it was proposed, would follow the latest European design in aii>* port construction, which eliminated tha costly concrete foundations for buildings and" the erection of cumbersome steel and brick buildings, so that ix) case of any future development being required modification in the exieting buildings would be made at a very low cost, whereas modification in a brick building would invoive considerable expense. Full details, with a more exact estimate of the cost, are ehortly to o* forwarded from Wellington when Mr Edwards has prepared further details. The buildings suggested wiil provide accommodation for two of the largest. ♦type of aircraft in New iZealand and, for a emaller plane. This, as has already been etated, can easily be enlarged. Plans include in thq estimated cost provision for proper accommodation for officea, paesengprs' waiting^ rooms, and a workehop. " Mr Hercock pointed out that thia estimate was coneiderably lowtr thsjR the £5,000 predicted at tho recent meeting of the Napier Borough Oouncil* In addition, the total cost was littla more than that involved in removing overhead telegraph and electrio wireo from the vicinity of the Napier aero* chrome. The latter work was estimated to cost the board. £3,000, and when it' had been completed, would still leave the field without any buildings. Mr Edwards' s flight from Wellingtoai to Hastings was made in anything but ideal conditions. The pilot made three' attempts to negptiate the Manawata Gorge before he finaUy passed thronghy owing to poor atmospherio conditions1 and a high wind. Upon arrival at Waipukurau he was again held.up for-somef * time by heavy rain, visibility being at: zero. Mr Edwards flew back td Welling-' ton tliis morning.