IN AUSTRALIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 200, 25 August 1939, Page 9

IN AUSTRALIA.

BRITISH 'PLANE.

AOTEAROAS FLIGHT.

CLIPPER LEAVES HONOLULU.

ONE DAY BETWEEN ARRIVALS?

Dav by day powerful engines are

pulling two big flying boats—one

British, the other American-—nearer to Alickla nd.

A I'ifsH .\-sociatioii message states that tin. mixliliod flying boat Aotearoa, Bine days out from Southampton on her delivery (light to Auckland for use in the tra ns-1 Hamuli service, arrived at D" i win to schedule yesterday. From tliore, she will proceed \ia Towusville, Queensland. to Sydney.

Advice received by the Pan-American Airways radio station at Auckland indicates that the California Clipper, bringing a number of (iovernment and company observers on her maiden survey flight to Auckland, left Honolulu, first stop on the ocean route to New Zealand, at a.m. to-day, New Zealand time. She was due at Canton Island at 4.40 p.m. to-day, New Zealand time.

Provided weather and other conditions allow schedules to bo kept, it seems probable that the two big aircraft will land at Auckland within a day ot' each other-—the Aotearoa on Monday and the California Clipper on Tuesday. These dates, however, are not official.

Previously it was announced that the Aotearoa, after her arrival at Auckland, ■would be used for training purposes, ■with occasional survey flights across the Taxman until the time arrived for tiie institution of the regular service. An announcement made yesterday by the Minister in Charge of Civil Aviation, the Hon. F. «loncis, indicates, however, that tho flying boat will also make a survey of the route between Auckland and Suva, early in Septeml>cr. Two flights would be made, the tirst between Sep]fc©mber 7 and 10.

These flights, the Minister said, would provide valuable data on the landing conditions at Suva, in addition to detailed information regarding the route.

It i.s expected that at least two Auckland-Sydney survey flights will be made before the trans-Tasman service is inaugurated. Later the Aotearoa will be joined by the other two aircraft selected for the Tun man service, the Australia and tho Awarua.