BEACONS 'DROME

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 179, 16 August 1937, Page 6

BEACONS 'DROME

Harbour Board Wants Definite Proposition NAPIER AIRPORT CHANGE The development of »n aerodromc at the Beacons, Westshore, was advanced n stage further to-day when a dopUtation from the Napier Airport Board consisting of Messrs T. W. jlercock (cliairman), C. O. Morse and M. S. Spence waited upon tlie Napier Harbour Board regarding the terms for the leasing of.an area of 520 acres for this purpose. The selection of the present site, Mr Hercock explained, was made before the iormation of the Air Board by the Napier Aero Club. The Beacons area was greatly favoured by fliers, and it was tree from fogs, in contrast to the present site. Altkougli nothing was being spent on the Beacons site, the ground reinained in good order. In regard to the present aerodromc, Mr Hercock explained that if it were to be retained the ovcrhead electricpower lines would have to be removta, and tliis had been estimated to cost at least £5000. On the Beacons site the Air Board would' have that money for the purpose of erecting buildings. It was essential that there should be no overhead wires in the close •••cinity of landmg grounds owing to their danger. It was more than likely that the planes now in use were as large as those that would be using the aerodrome before long. Future Development. Mr M S. Spence said tbat aviatira bad grown to be a matter of national impcrtance. Air would become tLe msar.s c: transpoi't in the future, nd it was neceseary that the question should be consideied in the light of development in the future. The Air Board migkt be charged with having chan^ed its mind, Mr Morse said, but it was up to every man to ckange his mind when he could see that by his doing so definite benefits would accrue, The Beacons site had been regarded as ideal, and the Board had been ied to believe that it would uot be making any mistake in establishing an aerodrome there. Provided thdt, rents and other aspects' relating to it were fair, the Borough Council would be prepared to support the Air Board in making the Beacons project a success. Mr Morse suggested that the Harbour Board should appoint a committee to confer with the eommittee of the Air Board and the Borough Council to consider the whole question. r The chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr T. M. Geddis, said he considered that the Air Board 'and the Napier Borough Council should make some proposal in regard to the present site. While the Harbour Board would agree to the setting>-iip of a eommittee, it woilld require .definite proposals'iu regard to'the Beacons site, the ■ old site and lother matters that'* might arise. In repiy to Mr A. E- Jull, Mr Hercock explained that the area now- being considered was required' to provide an aerodrome ( that would •' be large enough for all timo. * ls 520" Acres Too Much? Mr^R. D. Browfi considered. that the proposed site .o'f- 520 acres appeared larger. tbau the area required. Jt would be considerabjy larger than the main aerQdromes in New Zealand ser- ' ving as terniihals. The question of protecting approaches against obstructions, he thought, could be done in a more economic way. A runway of 800 to 900 yards "was long enough because of the improvements that were being made to the niackines j these .obviated the necessity for any -greater length. Mr Hercock, in v replying to - Mr Barker, said that althougli the Air Board had not , been advised that .the Beacons site would be suitable:for rnilitary purposes he.'personally thought it would be. The question of coastai defence would ■kav© to be. considered. Mr BroWn thought it was unlikely that coasfai herodromes would be utilisetl for military purposes. Air Morse, in thanking the Harbour Board for receiving the deputation, said be would like. to leave with. members the thought . of bpw tar they could keep out in the provision of air facilities in conjunction , with their own port. ' "That is.not our job at alf," said Mr L. Stephenson. After the . deputation had retired the board. set up the following eommittee to confer with the Air Board and the Borough Council: Messrs T. M. Geddis, E. J. Herrick, J. Barker, tt. D. Brown and A. E. Jull. A definite proposition on the* lines of the discussion is to be requested.