AVIATION

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 42, 27 March 1930, Page 5

AVIATION

AERODROME FOR HUTT VALLEY WILL SCABEY ISLAND SERVE 1

The task of finding a substitute for Gear Island as an aerodrome for. the Hutt Valley engaged the Hutt branch of the .Wellington Aero Club last week, ..when it met, with Mr J. S: Hunter presiding. The branch considered the possibilities of Scabey Island, another island at the mouth of the Hutt River, and further information as to its suitability will be sought.

Mr A. W. Nisbet, secretary to the club, said that they couldi not -form a separate aero club in the Hutt Valley. There were 30 or 40 people who had signed up as members of the Hutt branch, though most1 of them, had joined conditionally upon Gear Island being obtained. He had been inspecting the possibilities of Scabey Island as an. aerodrome, and had taken" an engineer over the place who had expressed) an opinion that an expenditure of £400 would make the island suitable for. flying, though not a "first-class aerodrome, while £100 would allow enough to be cleared to test out all the potentialities. The island was 400 yards long and 250 yards wide, with the longest axis running in the same direction, as the prevailing wind.

Mr W. H. Smith, the sponsor of the

new scheme, saioi that the island would not retain water, after wet weather, and he envisioned it as a seaplane and fly--.

ing boat. base. It waß decided to obtain more information on the subject. ;

The Director of Education^ is to be asked- to make an inspection of the

ground,