“AIR-MINDEDNESS”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 257, 28 September 1929, Page 12

“AIR-MINDEDNESS”

GREAT PORT OF PORTLAND. Evidence of the ''air-mindedness” of the controlling authorities of the great port of Portland, Oregon, United States, was supplied by Mr M. Cohen, formerly of Palmerston North, in a letter to the Wellington Harbour board. After describing the shipping facilities of Portland, Mr Cohen remarks: “One striking feature was the completion of a reclamation in shallow water of .an airport, and, seeing that New Zealand is now contemplating this modern means of transport and providing for its future development, a few words, on this matter will not be regarded as out of place. “The area is 253,acres, approximately 1220 feet by 6700 feet. There is a runway with a surface like the Hutt Road of 2400 feet in length. The balance is being sown with grass of an appropriate character. 1 saw large passenger ’planes leaving for Seattle, taking a perfect rise from the asphalt runway mentioned. On one side is an enclosed water basin, making a suitable provision for seaplanes. “This airport is being equipped experimentally with hangars of a new design evolved by (and patent applied for) Mr Roy Feldenheimer, an engineer of that city. These hangars are wonderfully adapted for all purposes and one of their chief recommendations is their extraordinary cheapness. Every inch of available space, both in height and length, is utilised for all contingent purposes, and I was informed that the cost of erection did not exceed £BOO. That is, of course, without the necessary interior equipment. After a thorough review by experts, the State has orded 25 of these hangars to be erected in different centres, and it might be advisable for the controlling department in New Zealand to 6eek from the inventor above named such details as may be of interest.”