GEAR ISLAND.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 37, 20 February 1930, Page 7

GEAR ISLAND.

SHORT SHIFT TOR AVIATION.

The subject of leasing Gear Island again came up for discussion at Tuesday night's meeting*of the Huty River Boardj when three tenders were received as follows:—(1) Wellington Aero Club for 42 acres for ten years,' £312: (2) Shandon Golf Club (a) for 106 acres, 10 years-, £700! (b) 63 acres, 10 years £450;, or for 7 years, £350 or for 5 years £300j (3) Mr. A. Lee, 106 acres for 5, 7 or 10 years £600, 63 acres £300, 43 acres £300, all plus rates.

Mr. W. Nisbet, secretary of the Hutt Valley Branch of tth.e Wellington | Aero Club wrotes as follows:—"I have' been directed by the President of the Wellington Aero Club to hand you here- ! with tender for the lease of Gear Island for ajperiod of ten years. While the members of the executive of t»he' Wellington Aero Club would have to meet the wishes of your Board by submitting alternative tenders for 5, 7, and 10 years, this was considered impracticable owing to the heavy expenditure with which we are faced in t»le event of out tender being accepted. It ; is estimated that to make the area for which we are tendering suitable, for flying, an expenditure of between £13*00 and £1500 will be necessary and as no provision is made, for compensation for improvements, it was felt that any shorter te-rm than 10 years would not justify such a iieavy capital expenditure on our part.' I need • hardly point out that the Board property will be materially increased in value by reason of the improvements which we in- • tend tO make consisting as they do almost entirely of levelling and draining." . Mr. Mitchell moved that the tender of frhe Wellington Aero Club and Mr. ' A. Lees tender for 63 acres at £300 be accepted. . The motion lapsed fof want of a seconder. ,- Mr. Leighton moved that the Aero Club's tender be accepted. Mr. Mitchell seconded. Mt. Gostelow moved' as an amendment that the tender of the Shandon« Golf Club foT 63 acres at £300 and Mr Lee's tender for 43 acres at £300 be accepted. ' , Mr. Hewer seconded the motion, which, was carried, Messrs Mitchell and Leighton dissenting. The chairman objected to the land being tied up for the longer term and contended that aviation was dangerous and would be a nuisance to the neigh-" bourhood. Mr. Gostelow said that t»he ratepay-, ers at the last election definitely expressed themselves against aviation.

Mr. Hewer said he was not, against aviation but objected to Gear Island being used for the purpose.

Mr. Leighton pointed out that tlie Jboard was not considering the interests of the ratepayers in declining the highest tender.