AIRPORT FOR AUCKLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 926, 20 March 1930, Page 16

AIRPORT FOR AUCKLAND

PAPATOETOE’S CLAIM From Our Own Correspondent PAPATOETOE, Wednesday. At yesterday evening’s meeting of the Papa ti • toe Town Board Brigadier S. J. E. Closey, president of the Papatoetoe Welfare League, spoke of the necessity of the board furthering the claims of the district in connection with an airport for Auckland. A former letter from the board had elicited the information from the Minister of Internal Affairs that the question was one for the Auckland City Council to deal with, and the latter body had shelved the question on to the slender means of the aero club. Tie latest developments showed that two properties were under consideration, both of which the speaker said were totally unsuited for the purpose. It would be necessary to take a 30minute taxi or bus journey from either of the sites, whereas it is essential that the port must be on the direct route. A site anywhere between Papatoetoe and Otahuhu would fill that requirement. as it is thero that two main roads and two railway routes junction. The areas in the sites at present under consideration were totally inadequate for the purpose. He stressed the necessity of having something near 200 acres in the area. The site may be suitable as an airdrome, but not as an air-port-On the motion of Mr. Smytheman, chairman of the board, it was decided to again place the advantages of the district before the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Auckland City During the discussion the advantages of the property owned by the Otahuhu Trotting Club were stressed.