AIR SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 139, 14 June 1935, Page 14

AIR SERVICES.

LICENSES SOUGHT.

THREE AMENDED ROUTES.

BOARD'S DECISION RESERVED,

(By., Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Thursday.

The Transport Co-ordination Board is hearing applications by New Zealand Airways, Ltd., for services embracing Whnngaroi, Gisborne, Wellington, Auckland, Cliristcliurch and Dunedin, following routes which, it is stated, differ sulliciently from services already granted to warrant a license.

The amended routes applied for are: (1) Whangarei - Auckland - Hamilton - Rotorua-Whakatane-Gisborne, with an extension to Russell if required. (2) Auckland - Rotorua - Napier - MastertonWellington. Permission is being sought to utilise other adjacent towns as ground facilities permitted. (3) Ohristchurch - Tiniaru - Cromwell-Queenstown-Dunedin, with a right of call at Ranfurly or Roxburgh if necessary. Evidence was given by Mr. H. M. McKay, who said the company was a private company, the directors being his wife and himself. He gave details as to machines and routes, the company having provided for two machines for each route and one in reserve.

Mr. Goodwin, representing Falcon Airways, asked if Mr. McKay would forgo the Auckland-Whangarei section in favour of Captain Hewett. Ho replied that he would sooner co-operate than forgo the section. Mr. Withers opposed the AucklandRotorua route, for which the G.P.A. had applied for a daily service. He also opposed the whole Auckland-Wellington route, and the third route as far as it conflicted with the G.P.A. route between Tjinani and Christchurch. Eaet Coast Airways objected to a license for the type of machines proposed on the ground of public safety and because the company, having as its avowed intention extension when warranted beyond Gisborne and Napier, was entitled to sonic protection from the board in view of its existing license. Wlng-Commander Grant Dalton agreed and eaid he considered, twin-engined machines were the only type suitable for civil aviation. The board reserved its decision.