UNION AIRWAYS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 80, 16 January 1936, Page 3

UNION AIRWAYS

INAUGURATION OF SERVICE.

A SIMPLE CEREMONY.

(Per Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., January 15. The inauguration to-day of a trunk air express service from Palmerston North to Dunedin by' Union Airways brought a closer realisation of its commercial possibilities to thousands of people who witnessed the ceremony at Milson Aerodrome. The proceedings were as simple as the service is significant. The three 12-passenger DHB6 aeroplanes were christened for the company by the Hon. F. Jones (Postmaster-General), and immediately afterwards the Karoro left for Dunedin on the first official service flight. The occasion was one of aerial pageantry, a circus of 16 aeroplanes delighting the large crowd with aerobatics interspersed with parachute jumping. It is doubtful if ever before in the Dominion has such a varied assembly of aircraft graced an aerodrome.

Mr Jones stated that the inauguration of the service inspired wonderful visions of the future. He extended the Government's congratulations to Union Airwayh on the wonderful service they were establishing for the people of New Zealand. The Government was going to do everything possible to further aviation in New Zealand, and that the element of danger, already very slight, would be reduced to the absolute minimum by the use of direction finders. Touching on financial requirements, Mr N. S. Falla (chairman of directors of Union Airways) said the Company had already expended £90,000, and the annual operating costs would be £40,000 to £50,000. • Speaking at the official luncheon tendered by the City Council and the Kairanga County Council, Mr Jones said that when matters of greater importance were cleared away the Cabinet intended to go fully into the question of aviation in all its aspects. It was evident from the extension ol civil aviation that action must be taken to bring about a greater measure oi co-ordination. Forty-four aerodromes, and 60 emergency landing grounds were among the facilities to 'serve the main routes and the contemplated routes. Of the former seven were more or less completed, 33 under consideration, and 20 to be placed under construction almost immediately. At present 2100 men were employed on the works. "We have got to make flying safer than travelling in motorcars," said Mr Jones, who added that the aim of the Government was to provide a meteorological service which would be adequate for all demands. In regard to the carriage of air mails, Mr Jones said the Cabinet would decide what action would be taken when more pressing problems were out ct the way. The financial interests involved must remember that the present •rate of postage was very low and the Government was anxious to maintain penny postage.

ROUND TRIP COMPLETED. DUNEDIN, January 15. The Karoro completed the round trip from Dunedin to Palmerston North when it arrived here at 7.45 p.m. It was welcomed at the North Taien Aerodrome by about 1000 people In the course of a brief official function, a hope was expressed that Dunedin would shortly have an airport on the harbour foreshore adjacent to the husiness area of the city. The speakers also expressed the desirability of the service being utilised for the carriage of mails.