The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY. DEC. 21st. 1921. AVIATION AND LOCAL FACILITIES

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY. DEC. 21st. 1921. AVIATION AND LOCAL FACILITIES

Tills district should puv special and constant attention to the development of aviation in the Dominion for the reason that either for defensive or overseas ooinnienAal aviation, Westland is peculiarly situated as a link in a chain of stations. This fact has been in mind for some time, and it is endorsed now by the late publication of the essays which were written on the use of aircraft in the defence of Now Zealand. One of the successful essayists (Major Hutchinson) in detailing the dispositions of defensive aircraft, says it would lie necessary to have four squadrons of three flights, and six machines to a (light of bombing machines; three squadrons of the same size of lighting machines; and two squadrons of reconnaissance machines. In working out the scope of operation for the South Island, Hokitika is specially selected as an operating centre. With regard to the reconnaissance squadron it is suggested “B” Plight would bo in charge of the West Coast with three machines at Farewell Spit and three machines at Hokitika. With regard to the Bombing Squadron for the Coast, it is proposed that a flight section would be stationed at Hokitika, and a flight section at Farewell Spit. Again in regard to the Scout Squadron, Hokitika is made a centre for n Flight section, as also Farewell Spit. It is ther proposed owing to its isolation that Hokitika should have its Headquarters flight also, and an installation of a wireless plant would likewise have to lie provided at Hokitika, thus making it an important aircraft centre The question of initiating proposals for a local aerodrome should therefore occupy the attention of the local authorities. Apart from what may be necessary in regard to defensive measures, there is no doubt commercial aviation will developc. When that comes to pass trans-Tasman flying will be assured for Australia and New Zealand are sure to have aerial relations. Hokitika has prominent features about it which go to make it a natural station for inter-continental flying. The high plateaux to the north of the town would make ideal landing stations and

there are the natural prominent fon- j tines which would be a permanent guide to airmen crossing the Tasman Sea. In the Southern Alps culminating in Mt. Cook, these are guiding sign posts which will be visible to airmen at a great distance from the shore, and they could shape their course accordingly. llokitika. is the most adjacent town to Australia, and as next year it will lie the terminal for the Midland railway, which will link up with the South Island railway service, it presents a well chosen site for landing Australian and European mails. The .special feature hereabouts however is tlie Hat areas adjacent to the town which would afford suitable landing sites, while the high hills at Han Han would lie suitable for the wireless* station, overlooking as it would, the plateau which could hi* converted into landing plots. In the event of hydromachines being used for cross Tasman flying, we have in Lake Mahinapua a sheet of water also specially suitable as a permanent landing site. In point of fact, nature has peculiarly endowed this locality for serving in aviation traffic and it is for the authorities to see that the special facilities of the locality are not lost sight of.