“Taranaki Central Press” FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1937. STRATFORD’S AERODROME.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 427, 7 May 1937, Page 4

“Taranaki Central Press” FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1937. STRATFORD’S AERODROME.

A momentous decision was made at a meeting of the Strat-G-M-d Borough Council on November 29, 1934, when it was decided to take up the option to purchase an aerodrome site in the Flirt-Esk Road at a cost of £7OOO. It was a site of roughly 70 acres, swampy and unlevelled and, looked at hurriedly, not at all suitable as a landing place for There were those who were critical and condemnatory; there were others who were far-seeing and, perhaps, visualised the aerodrome =»s it is to-day in first-class condition and, in th| ooinion of Mr E. A. Gibson, Government Inspecting Engineer of Aerodromes, fit for all purposes. Earlv 1935 saw the first serious constructional work put in hand. Now, thanks to the enteiprise of the council and the work of the Aero Club Stratford has an aerodrome for all time, and one worthy of its growing importance. Last Tuesdav actually marked the completion of this long wc-rk, with Mr Gibson’s official insnection and approval, but Wednesday next, Coronation Day, will witness the starting of real activity among the air-minded of the town. And there is really a marked interest in flying in Stratford. We are not larking in pilots, and the Aero Club which includes Messrs P. Thomson, D. White and F. G. Clarke, is quite a live, energetic body. The Coronation Dav pageant, therefore, should be a most auspicious opening. If the general efficiency of the arrangements can be a guide, then the pageant will be an outstanding success. There will be visiting ’planes from all parts, ’piloted by well-known aft-men, and probably among them will be Mr E. Clarke, the flying farmer, cJ Canterbury, who did a leisurely trip from England to Australia and then crossed the Tasman, landing >‘n the So”th Perhaps, one day Stratford may be a regular pprt of call for air liners from Australia. But what all local residents are at present concerned with is that the Coronation Dav pageant be a success. We do not think that there will be a lack of enthusiasm on that day.