AUCKLAND’S SEAPLANE BASE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 320, 3 April 1928, Page 10

AUCKLAND’S SEAPLANE BASE

WORK is to be commenced on the site secured as a seaplane base at Hobsonville. The land has lain idle for two years since its purchase and the move is not before its time. It will be noted that there are, as yet, no seaplanes for the seaplane base, though Captain Isitt has returned from 18 months’ training in England, whither he was dispatched for the purpose of conducting inquiries for the Government. Cynics may observe that it is as well that we have no seaplanes ; that if the new base is not developed at a pace quicker than that ordinarily displayed by the Government in air matters, any seaplanes purchased now would be very much out of date by the time Hobsonville was ready for their reception. On the other hand, however, it may be held that some sort of planes, to manoeuvre in and over water, are necessary, even though temporary housing has to be provided, in order that pilots can be trained in readiness for the completion of the proposed base. But the New Zealand practice has been to teach flying without proper facilities. They have some planes at the Wigram airdrome, but reports aver that most of them are not safe for flying. Rumour has it that new planes are on order; Major Wilkes, Director of Aviation, says the question is being considered by Cabinet, but that at present nothing can be said about it! Excepting that the laud at Hobsonville is to be used as a seaplane base in the remote future, the authorities do not appear to have any clearly-defined scheme in view. The number of machines to be used there—and the type—is “a matter for Cabinet.” Meanwhile, it is promised that flying officers and high military and naval officers will visit Auckland in a few days to practice at working out schemes for defence. After Easter, there will commence the preparatory work of laying out the base. The whole thing is delightfully vague ; and there is room for interesting speculation in the knowledge that the New Zealand Naval Division is lying Devonport -without a single plane handy to act as its eves in cast- the necessity arose.