PERMANENT AIRDROME

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1002, 19 June 1930, Page 9

PERMANENT AIRDROME

AERO CLUB SEEKS AID OF CITY COUNCIL MANGERE GROUND ADOPTED That the Mangere Airdrome should : remain the permanent home of the Auckland Aero Club, was a recommenlation made by members at the annual nee ting of the club held last evening. The present lease expires on January j 51 next, but if last evening’s propos- ; ils are carried out, the land will be 1 lelinitely purchased by the club. Before a move could be made in this lirection certain support would i»e j lecessary from the City Council under 1 .ho legislation passed last year. Mr. j spencer Mason considered, however, j .hat under the present financial condi- i Jons, the City Council would not be : inclined to embark upon any of the j expensive schemes suggested in Mr. ; Tyler’s reports. Tho report presented to the meeting 1 stated that the committee had been j ilivo to the necessity for a permanent home for the dub and had it in view when embarking on the recent art union. The country within reasonable distance of the city had been extensively inspected, both from the air and on the ground, and as a result the committee was of opinion that tho existing ground was eminently suitable* for a permanent landing ground having regard to initial cost and all the features of importance to a school airdrome, among the chief of which were* Approaches, surrounding country, probability of freedom from future ob structions, drainage of the land and weather conditions. “It has been urged that the distance from the city is a serious detriment and no doubt this is an important factor, but it has to be remembered that the great increase in cost of land closer to the city would make such land practically prohibitive. Moreover, the expansion of the city and suburbs ulti mutely might cause a ground now* suitable to become unsuitable,” continues the report. “The area comprises 82 acres and the cost of purchase is given as £ 8,200, but after allowing for £2.000 for levelling, the City Engineer estimates it at £2.700, and £750 for formation of 2:1 chains of road the cost, without building, is brought up to £10,950. The liquid assets of the club total approximately £13,000, but it is considered that £ 2,000 should be kept available for replacement of machines and contingencies, thus leaving £II,OOO available for the scheme. Thus, after purchasing the land for cash, practically nothing will be available for removal of hangars, erection of new buildings, furniture and plant. It is anticipated that the last-men-tioned items would probably absorb at least £5,000, so it is clear that extra, money must be obtained from somewhere. “It is anticipated that should the club purchase and level the Mangere ground there would be no necessity for the council to provide any further landing grounds, and in consideration of this your committee suggests that the City Council should be requested to make a grant to the club for the purpose of making up the deficiency of £5,000. The cost of buildings and other improvements is, of course, little better than a guess, because it is not possible to anticipate what the committee would ultimately decide upon as suitable buildings. The additional interest charge on the outlined scheme would be £196 a year.” The report was received and the permanent adoption of the airdrome approved ______