RIVALRY IN AERODROMES

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1932, Page 6

RIVALRY IN AERODROMES

THE COAST SPIRIT. A Westport correspondent writing to the ‘ ‘Argus,’’ says: —Having regard to the possibility of an air mail fiom Wellington to Nelson, Westport and Hokitika, Captain McGregor, who arrived at Westport from Karamea in a Spartan, plane, and was forced to land on the beach, expressed dissatisfaction that no effort was being made locally to provide a suitable landing ground for planes. Capt. McGregor mentioned that it was his intention to land on the golf course, but be found the vicinity of the race tracic, which provided the only suitable facilities for a runway, had been blocked by bunkers. He was compelled to resort to the beach, and fortunately the tide was favourable. Owing to the absence of a suitable landing ground at Greymouth, that township was excluded from the itinerary and he was afraid the same would apply to Westport. Hokitika had a ground in preparation which he hoped would he in readiness when he took the mail there. The position m Westport, Capt. McGregor concluded, was anything but encouraging to those who had the interests of aviation at heart.

“Let’s Be First” writes to the Grey “Star” :—Sir.—Some time ago 1 wrote through your columns drawing attention to the unsuitable site of Cobden Island, as an aerodrome, but still, after Captain MacGregor gave his opinion of this site I read that it is to he surveyed and to be carried on with. Captain MacGregor favoured a piece of ground the town side of the Omoto racecourse, which would cost less to put in order than the suggested Cobden Island. It seems as if we are not to be recognised in the proposed air mail and that Hokitika is the terminus and we take a back seat as I predicted. Meantime the preparation of the Hokitika aerial landing goes on apace. Verb sap.