SOUTHERN BASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 5, 7 January 1938, Page 3

SOUTHERN BASE.

CRITICS ANSWERED.

ARRIVAL OF CENTAURUS. LYTTELTON FACILITIES. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) CHRIST CHURCH, this day. The successful arrival, stay and departure of the Centaurus liae provided an unanswerable reply to the critics of the proposal for the establishment of a seaplane base in Lyttelton Harbour, according to Mr. C. H. Clibborn, secretary of the Lyttelton Harbour Board.

Referring to the visit of the Centaunis, Mr. Clibborn said the flight was a real event in that it bore out the claims, advanced ten years ago, that Lyttelton would l>e a suitable base.

There was ample depth of water, sheltered moorinrr sites could be made available in the inner harbour—one where the Centaunis floated and another near the graving dock —and adequate refuelling facilities could be provided.

Mr. Clibborn said that on several occasions the suitability of Lyttelton as a seaplane base had been pointed out. and advocates of the proposals had secured the support of a former Director of Air Services (Wing-Commander S. (Irant Dalton).

Wing-Commander Grant Dalton in December. 1!)20, advised him that after a visit to tlie port he was satisfied that Lyttelton was well suited to the establishment of such a base.

"If, as it is hoped, flying boats will seek a landing at Lytteltou after crossing the Tasman, Lyttelton will be able to provide the necessary base/' Mr. Clibborn added.