NAPIER AERODROME

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 198, 7 September 1937, Page 9

NAPIER AERODROME

Question of a Site The question of tlie cost of obtaining a lease of tlie Beacons Aerodrome for development as an airport for Napier, was the subject of a discussion at tlie meeting of the Napier Borough Couhcil last evening. It was decided to meet a sub-committee of the Napier Harbour Board, which controls the area, for tlie purpose of ascertaining on what terms the new landing field could be acquired and the former aerodrome oii the \Yestshore Embankment, retained. Some of the councillors were of the opinion that the council should not be committed to further eost without some idea of what th« total would he. Following a report on tliq aerodrome facilities at Napier by Wing-Command-er tlie II on. R. A. (jochrane, tho Napier Airport Board asked tlie Napier Borough Council to proceed in aecordance wiili the recommendations of tlie report and to obtain from tlie Napier llarbour Board a lease or t'reehold of tlie 520 neres required for the ueroUronie at tlie beacons. At the last meeting of ihe Harbour Board a deputation from the council aud tlie Airport Board explained tlif position, and tliis was followed at 'ast night's council meeting by a letter lroni tlie Harbour Board stating that a sub-coniinittec had been sct up to receivo defmile proposals in tlie nialter. Councillors conslrued this lo incan that the council should suhniit a price for the lease of tlie area. and conitnouled advorsel.v upon tlie fact tluit the council was forced to foot the hill for the requirements of the Airport Board. It was decided to meet ihe Harbour Board with a view to ohtaining a lease of the Beacons area, und at tlie sanie time to retain it" possible ( ihe former uerodrome. i