AIRPORT DIFFICULTIES.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 370, 26 February 1937, Page 5

AIRPORT DIFFICULTIES.

WELLINGTON POSITION What Rejection of Loan Invokes. Press Association —Copyright. Wellington,, To-day. That the rejection of the airport, extension proposal by the. ratepayers of Wellington is a matter tor keen regret is the view of many who have had close connection with the aerodrome at Rongotai, both as ground engineers and pilots. Wellington is no nearer to posessing a good aerodrome in the landing ground at Rongotai and these people consider it a minor tragedy that the ratepayers did not approve tile proposal.

It the rejec .im of the loan ptopcs al was in any Way attributable to the money already spent on ’the aerodrome. it is- pointed out that the great bulk of the money spent in levelling out. the sand-hills, and spreading soil over the area was found by the unemployment authorities through the No 5 scheme of finding work for the unemployed.

While the ratepayers have rejected the loan proposal of £70,000 —whichwas to have been subsided by the Government with an equal amount —It by no means writes the end to the project, which many consider absolutely essential to the welfare of the city. What means will now be taken to push on with the work (possibly durin the coming winter) remaijis ijo be seen. It has been hinted that Parliament may be induced to pass special legislation authorising completion of the formation of the aerodrome.

Preparations Made,

Participating the coming of larger aeroplanes and the consent of the ratepayers to the £70,000 loan, plans had been prepared for a large hangar, and at le-ast one contract (for the steelwork) had been let. If Wellington is to be considered an airport for trunk services a big hangar is necessary, to that no doubt ways and means will be evolved to see the ereciont of this structure at an early date.

Incidentally there are still those who hold that Wellington would he better served if an airport were created at the southern end of Porirua harbour, where 350 acres' of shallow water would be reclaimed at less cost. They contend that this site is superior to Rongotai on the following grounds:

(1) That double the area of Rongotai could be served, with a clear takeof north and south.

"(2) That Porirua is- on the direct trunk route between Auckland* and Wellington, or between the North and South Islands. (3) That, when the electric railway operates, next year, Porirua will be as close to Wellington as Rongotai.

(4) That the unreclaimed harbour is ideal as a base for seaplanes. (5) That Porirua Harbour is always free of fogs, no matter how thick they may be at Wellington.

(6) That the district is a prospective part of the metropolitan area of Wellington, and the aerodrome, if constructed there, Would be a “bis-cuit-throw’ from the most poweTTul wireless station in New Zealand or Australia.