OTAGO AIRPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22986, 15 September 1936, Page 4

OTAGO AIRPORT

EMERGENCY LANDING GROUND IMMEDIATE ACTION URGED GOVERNMENT TO BE APPROACHED The urgent necessity for the provision of an emergency landing ground for Dunedin was stressed at the meeting of the City Council last evening when the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) introduced a minute asking the council to urge the Government to expedite the construction of an emergency ground at Waikouaiti to facilitate the proper operation of inter-island air services. The Mayor said l.e moved in that way as it was important that the existing air services operating between Dunedin and the north should not be hindered or interrupted as it was on so many occasions. The matter had been brought before the Government before, but so far all that had been done was the surveying of the site. The council’s part in the matter would be the purchase of the freehold of the site. The work could be done by unemployed labour. He hoped the council would use every endeavour to have the work expedited, and Dunedin provided with proper airport facilities. Cr D. G. M'Millan, M.P.: Have you a site in view? The Mayor; Yes. There is a good ground to be worked up at Waikouaiti, near the sandhills. Cr M’Millan: Can you get it at a reasonable price? The Mayor: I think so. In any case, if the price is not reasonable we can take the land under the Public Works Act. Cr W. H. Shepherd, seconding the motion, emphasised that one of the conditions under which the present company’s licence was granted was the provision of an emergency landing ground. He was surprised that no action had yet been taken in the matter. There would always be a fog belt to contend with in the operation of the present airport, and an alternative ground was essential. A good site was available, and with a fair amount of work it could be made into a useful adjunct to the existing airport. The motion was carried.