TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21685, 20 January 1936, Page 10

TASMAN AIR SERVICE

WELLINGTON AS PORT OF DEPARTURE EXPERIMENT FOR FIRST THREE MONTHS [THE PRESS Special Service.) WELLINGTON, January 19. Ah experimental weekly air connexion between Wellington and Sydney by Sikorsky Clipper flying boats for the first three months

of the Service in conjunction with the service to Auckland, is part of the plan of the TransTasman Air Development Company, Ltd., now being considered by the Cabinet. “During this experimental period we will determine whether we will be able to include Wellington in the definite schedule,” said Mr Beau Shiel, business manager for the company, who is at present in Wellington. Mr Shiel said the company plans to fly twice weekly in each direction. The headquarters of the company’s operations will be in Auckland, and the intention is to leave New Zealand for Australia on Tuesdays and Fridays during the first three months. The Friday departure will be from Wellington. Originally the scheme was for the operation of an airline between Auckland and Sydney only, but after extensive enquiries into the operations of these flying-boats and their suitability for the Tasman service made by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, and his own judgment after‘flying them,

Sir Charles decided to investigate the possibility of including Wellington in the regular service, Mr Shiel said. “This was the only modification of the plan originally laid down, and was the result of Sir Charles’s increased respect for the seaworthiness of the Clipper ships. Effect of Westerly Winds “The difficulty in running a service to Wellington is very largely caused by the increasing strength of the westerly winds encoun T tered on crossing as one goes south,” said Mr Shiel. “Difficulties such as these are being overcome by the -progress of aeronautical science, and by the greater seaworthiness and airworthiness of the flying boat types that are being developed for use on oversea services. The Wellington call will be not only a benefit to Wellington and the southern portion of the North Island, but it is of importance to the

South Island, as once a week it will be possible to mail a letter on a Thursday afternoon in Christchurch and have it delivered in Sydney postal boxes late on Friday afternoon. Our plan for a twice-weekly service with the Clipper ships will provide the most efficient connexion with the England-Australia service, the best possible service for New Zealand-Austra-lia mail, and an efficient link with Pan American Airways when their Pacific service to Auckland is inaugurated.”