AIR SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 295, 14 December 1938, Page 5

AIR SERVICE.

SYDNEY-AUCKLAND.

PROVISION OF FACILITIES

EQUIPMENT ON ORDER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUXEDTX, Tuesday. A statement that satisfactory propress was l»eing made with the provisi >n of facilities at Mechanic's Bay. Auckland, for a temporary base for the trans-Tasman air servii-e. was made by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. .Tones, to-dav. He said that orders had l>een placed in England for the Ushaped pontoon necessary for berthinjr the aircraft, for the hydroplane flares used during taking off and landing, and

for the necessary miorinirs. which include one for Hohsonville and one for Uussell. Mr. .Tones said the slipway at Hohsonville would Ik? available for beachinir the aircraft for repairs, and the mooriiifis at Kussoll* would provide an alternative landing ar-.i sli mid it be undesirable to fly Jirect to Aucklaii<l. In addition, an order was being placed iu Knpland for a 37ft (tin control launch and a 23ft auxiliary launch. These vessels were be ins manufactured by the British Power Boit Company, and were exactly similar to those used by Imperial Airways in many parts of the Empire. The control launch was capable of a maximum speed of 24 knits and a cruisinir speed of IS knots, and the auxiliary launch was capable of a maximum speed of 2."> knots and a cruising speed of IS knots.

' Tlio provision of the othi-r nercssary fiicilitit's such as nil iidministriitioii lniildinjr and aiul aircraft repair simps is under consideration at the present time." said Mr. .loues. "It is hoped that a commencement of buildin™ will he possible early in January.