PROPOSED AIR PORT AT NIANAWATU HEADS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3939, 7 May 1929, Page 2

PROPOSED AIR PORT AT NIANAWATU HEADS.

♦ INSPECTED BY MAJOR WILKES

In furtherance of a request made to the Minister for Defence (Hon. T. M. Wilford) while in Foxton recently, Major Wilkes, of the N.Z. Air Force, visited Foxton yesterday loir the purpose of inspecting the proposed site for an aerodrome at Manaiwatu Heads. Major Wilkes was met by the Mayor (Mr. M. E. Perrcau), Mr. R. Rangiheuea (secretary of the Foxton Harbour Board), Mr. R. Ilornblow (secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, which body first mooted the suggestion) and |Cr. F. Robinson. Major Wilkes was motored to the beach and out to the old river bed. The ear was driven at a fair pace in various directions over the proposed site and measurements taken, showing that a strip of firm sand a mile long and practically half a unite wide is offering, which can be converted into a landing ground at very little expense. After the inspection Major Wilkes said it would not take a great deal to put the ground in order but at the present time the Government had no money to advance to the Defence Department for the preparation of aviation grounds. The ground itself was quite suitable. A first-class aerodrome, however, required to be 800 yards in every direction. They did not have, such a ground in N.Z. although the Christchurch ground was almost of those, dimensions. The local ground could he made into a very fine aerodrome having an L appearance. It would be advisable if anything was done at the beach to concentrate on the south end which was very clear. A hangar would be necessary bur, Major Wilkes' said that this structure, which would only need to be a shell, could be erected for approximately £SO. The dimensions of a hangar to take a Moth with folding wings would need to be little more than that of a modern garage, approximately Oft by 24ft. and being Oft. high. With a little work done, on the local ground Major Wilkes said he would not hesitate in putting any of the machines belonging to the Air Force down on the ground. The ground was a little soggy in places but if a sole of grass was obtained over the area this would not be noticed. It' was a very different thing for a • machine with two wheels to run over the ground and a car with four wheels. A 'plane would probably sink in where a car would not notice any great difficulty in passing over the area.

Major Wilkes said that 'he would furnish his report to the Minister on the ground and should auy local body undertake any work on the ground the Department would be pleased to advise any works, contemplated. Major Wilkes also visited the landing ground suggested and offered by Hon. Edward Newman on the Foxton-Levin road, which lie said was also a suitable spot for an emergency landing ground. The more of these emergency landing grounds we have the better, said Majojr Wilkes.