BASE FOR SEAPLANES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 73, 8 January 1936, Page 6

BASE FOR SEAPLANES.

SUMNER ESTUARY OR LYTTELTON. ... • ENGINEERS TO INVESTIGATE. (Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Engineers will investigate the possibility of establishing a base for seaplanes in the Sumner estuary or at Lyttelton, according to a decision reached at a, special meeting of the Lyttelton. Harbour Board this morning. It was stated that for the purpose an area of water a mile square and 10 feet deep would he required. The matter came before the Board when a report of the Secretary-Trea-surer (Mr C. H. Clibborn) on his inquiries in Australia concerning the extension of air services was placed before members. The chairman (Mr E. J. Howard, M.P.) said that as the Board had taken the lead in the matter of tourist cruise ships and tourists for the South Island, via Lyttelton, in his judgment it was necessary that the South Island should take an interest in the matter of the development of air services by seaplane. Although at present it would appear that the Pan-American Transpacific service and the proposed TransTasman service would both use Auckland as their airport, the Board should be prepared for the future extension of those seaplane services to the South Island and should he in possession of information as to whether Lyttelton or the ISumncr Estuary would make a suitable airport for seaplanes.