Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1932, Page 4

Tt is very satisfactory to find' Hointj.lta being regarded as a regular airport, now, and it is likely that in the near future other visiting' air planes will he making calls here: Captain. McGregor has had no difficulty in making his landing and taking off with equaloshwe'ss. The grounds' have certainly been improved grent’y of late, and with the further work in hand will add to the extension of the ground, and that will be most important, for it will give an outlet to the north as well as to the other points of the compass. The recent visitor with Captain McGregor, .spoke of his surprise at finding so good a landing, and as this expert opinion heroines more widely known other visitors may be expected to- land here. It is interesting to find that quite a chain of landings will be available along tbe Westland County coast. Landings have been made already at Hnrihari and Matainui, as * well as at Okarito in times past. In addition, landing grounds are in course of preparation at Waiho Gorge, Weheka and Okoru. When till? circuit is. complete” air mail possibilities for the southern parts are not beyond the region of probabilities. It is well therefore that so good a start lias been made at Hokitika, and that a ground equal to modern requirements will be available. When the preparation of tbe ground k .advanced sufficiently, it is net unlikely that an air nageanfc will he arranged for, and such an event should do much to stimulate flying. Tile build’ng of a hangar hv private enterprise is contemplated at the air-port, and it is hoped abo to establish a bowser service for refuelling vi-.iting machines. With this equipment complete the local aerodrome will assume special attractions for visitors. There are now many -Hvntelv owned machines in' New Zealand, and the scenic attractions of We tland should draw i aerial visitors "« much ns motor vehicles. The outlook from above at the mountain, bike, river', and forest gems are said to bo very arresting, and'with the suitable Fading stages mentioned above for flving visitors, the number of such vbits will grow quickly. In the meantio'c the completion of the local landing site should be expedi'ed and the most made of the present opportunity to establish a creditable and attractive larding place.