AIRPORT FOR WAIKATO

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20744, 2 March 1939, Page 6

AIRPORT FOR WAIKATO

One important stage in the provision of an up-to-date airport for Hamilton and district has been completed. The Rukuhia site has received the approval of the Public Works Department as the most suitable in the district, a comprehensive survey of the ground has been made and all the data have been handed to the Civil Aviation Department. The latter department has the responsibility of deciding whether the construction of a modern aerodrome is justified. If a favourable decision is made it will remain for an airport authority to be established to acquire the land, and*then the Public Works Department will be ready to proceed with the construction of the aerodrome.

Most important, apparently, is the judgment of the Civil Aviation Department, and in the formulation of that judgment the aerodrome authorities may be able to give valuable assistance. Primarily, as the Hon. R. Semple says, New Zealand aerodromes are intended for commercial purposes, but unfortunately the military aspect has also to be taken into consideration. People of the Waikato can press both claims with ample justification, and it is to be hoped no effort will be spared to impress the authorities with the need to provide an airport suitable for the use of all machines.

Waikato’s chief concern should be to have constructed an aerodrome capable of accommodating the great air-liners that now pass by. Hamilton .s too important a centre to be ignored by the airways indefinitely, but appropriate recognition will come only from Waikato initiative. Tlie sooner an airport authority is established the better it will be for the chances of obtaining the Aviation Department’s approval of the scheme at Rukuhia. From the military point of view there is strong argument in favour of Hamilton as, a central inland rallying point linked with the chief coastal aerodromes and out of range of attack by naval guns.