MANY AIRPORTS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1930, Page 5

MANY AIRPORTS

MUNICIPAL ACTIVITY. POSITION IN UNITED STATES. AUCKLAND, September 28. Practically every municipality of any consequence in the United States now has its airport, according to Mr E. P. Howard, Trade Commissioner in the Department of Commerce in che United States, who arrived in Auckland to-dav from Los Angeles by the steamer Golden Cloud. 5 , Mr Howard intends staying for three weeks in New Zealand before going %o the Orient, where lie will investigate matters relating to air transport. ‘There are 1000 or, more airports now operating, and a further 1400 are contemplated,” he said. “Some are handled privately, and others by corporations and municipalities. Develooment has been almost breath-taking, as two or three years ago commercial air transport was really just beginning. Most of the airports are under municipal control, the actual Department depending upon the organisations of the city government. There is usually some sort of advisory Board of aeronautical men to which the controlling body might refer.”

One very successful airport was put under the jurisdiction of the Port Commission. a body similar to a Harbour Board in New Zealand, - the general superintendent being the harbour engineer. Tt •: is expected that an air port will have paid for itself in seven years, . ’HpweyeiV means have been so numerous, that'if: is almost impossible V : to give; any idea .of how [things have developed. ;f. •, .-:L • Tlje United-States is now; erjss-cf Ossed with air lines, and there are several routes: across; the continent. All lines are privately-owned, and'there is no such thing as a direct Government subsidy, even for small services which are conrducted by private contractors.