Auckland’s Progress

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1079, 17 September 1930, Page 10

Auckland’s Progress

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION FORMED First Public Question: Airport Site THE selection of a suitable airport for Auckland is the first, important public question taken up by the Auckland Development Association, formed recently lor the purpose o considering- and assisting proposals of a progressive community nature. The first meeting of the association, which lias a strong working committee, whose members include men prominent in public affairs, was held a week ago. The association is at present in communication with the City Council and is concerning itself in the move to secure a worthy airport site.

In its own words, the object of the association is “to investigate and encourage the support of any sound scheme in principle and economy which would enhance the development of Auckland generally”—schemes such as waterways, airports, bridges and other activities giving w r ork to the maximum numbers of workers now unemployed. The personnel of the association is as follows:—Patron, Sir Geo. Fowlds; president, Mr. J. A. C. Allum; vicepresident, Mr. M. J. Coyle; chairman, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson; committee, Sir George Fowlds, and Messrs. .7. A. C. Allum. J. F. W. Dickson, M. J. Coyle. Wm. Noton, G. E. Carr, W. J. Parker, junr., R. O. Gardner, E. J. Riesterer, James Hunter, W. Madden, G. H. Reston, W. J. Catldell, E. D. Jones, E. D. D’Esterre, and David B. Russell. IMPORTANT PROPOSALS

The committee of 12 members has power to add to its number. The association’s primary object is public education in important proposals calculated to lead'to the greater progress of Auckland and its surrounding districts. It has been decided that the association may consider and foster other projects for the advancement of Auckland, development of suburban settlement and any other form of activity calculated to enhance the well-being of Auckland’s city and province. “Jt is a lpng-felt want that an association of this nature should be formed

in Auckland,” said Mr. David B. Russell, member of the committee, this morning. “Christchurch and Dunedin have the benefit of such organisations, but hitherto Auckland has been without such a means of assisting various schemes of a public nature which, at the outset, do not come within the province of any local bods'.” CITY COUNCIL APPROACHED At the first meeting of the association last Wednesday it was decided to take up immediately the question of Auckland’s airport, and it was arranged that committeemen should meet the Auckland Cits' Council. The Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, svas advised by the association that the following delegates would attend this es'ening’s conference of local bodies svhich are meeting to discuss the airport question:—-Mr. J. F. W. Dickson (-chairman), Mr. G. H. Reston (vicepresident of the Auckland Rowing Club), Mr. William Noton, Mr. K. D’Esterre, and Mr. David B. Russell. On Monday morning Mr. Baildon met Mr. Russell and Mr. E. Henshall, ex-engineer for Avondale and exengineer in charge of the Ruawai Valley stop-banking scheme. The Mayor assured Mr. Russell that, as plans for the airport site would not be brought up or considered at tonight's meeting of the local bodies, the attendance of the association's delegates would be unnecessary. The meeting was to be held merely to consider control and finance.