READY TO PROCEED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20743, 1 March 1939, Page 9

READY TO PROCEED

WAIKATO AIRPORT SCHEME HON. R. SEMPLE’S STATEMENT The statement that as far as the Public Works Department was comcerned, everything was in readiness for the work on the Waikato aerodrome to be proceeded with was made by the Minister of Public Works, the ITon. R. Semple, when interviewed by a Waikato Times representative yesterday. “A complete survey of the ground and the lay-out has been made and all the necessary data has been passed over from my department to the Department of ’Civil Aviation,” said Mr Semple. “The Department of Public Works has recommended the site as being the best in the Hamilton district and now the decision rests with ihe Civil Aviation Department. If their approval is forthcoming it will be necessary for the land to be acquired and for a local airport authority to be acquired. After that is done it will be our job to construct the aerodrome and we are ready to do so.

"“The aerodromes in New Zealand are constructed primarily for civil aviation purposes, but they must be made in such a way that they,, can be used for defence if necessary,” said the Minister. “We sincerely hope that they will never be called on for this purpose, but we must be prepared.” An indication of the great amount of work necessary to pul lhe aerodrome in order was given by the Minister who staled that between 150,000 and 200.000 cubic yards ol‘ soil would have to be shifted. In addition the ground would have to be properly consolidated before it could be used for the heavy ’planes and it would also have to be well drained.