WELLINGTON TO AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21939, 13 November 1936, Page 8

WELLINGTON TO AUCKLAND

LICENSE FOR NEW AIR SERVICE GRANT TO UNION AIRWAYS CALLS AT PALMERSTON NORTH AND NEW PLYMOUTH ASSOCIATION TSLSOAAU.) / WELLINGTON, November 12. The grant of a commercial aircraft service license to Union Airways, for the route Wellington to Auckland, was announced by the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) to-day. “The inauguration of this service represents an important development in the Dominion’s air services, ’ said Mr Semple. “In the very near future our two largest cities will be within three hours’ travel time each of the other. The service will be a daily one with regular calls at Palmerston North and New Plymouth. The northward aeroplane will leave Wellington at noon, arriving at Palmerston North at 12.38, New Plymouth 1.46, and Auckland at 3 p.m. “On the southward journey, the aeroplane will leave Auckland at noon, arriving at New Plymouth at 1.4 p.m., Palmerston North at 2.12 p.m,, and Wellington at 3 p.m. “I have given close attention to the question of fares, and have approved a through fare of £6, with intermediate fares of 30s for the Wellington to Palmerston North section, 40s for the Palmerston North to New Plymouth section, and 60s for the New Plymouth to Auckland section. “Provision is made in the license for three machines of a type to be approved by the Government.” TRANS-TASMAN AIR SERVICE “WELLINGTON UNSUITABLE AS TERMINAL” POSTMASTER-GENERAL’S REPLY TO DEPUTATION (PRESS A.S3OCIATIO* TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, November 12. “The reports we have received indicate that Wellington is not suitable for an air base,” was the chief point in the reply given by the PostmasterGeneral (the Hon. F. Jones) to a deputation from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce which placed before him the claims of Wellington to be the terminal of the trans-Tasman air service. Mr Jones undertook, however, to allow the chamber to place before experts who were advising the Government its views on the suitability of Wellington. Captain M. Holm said that the distance between Sydney and Auckland was 1130 miles over sea and 30 miles over land, a total of 1160 miles, hut there were no high landmarks on the route. From Sydney to Wellington was, 1070 miles over sea, and 130 miles down Cook Strait, a total of 1200 miles. 'On either side of the strait were several high mountains, which would give a good landfall. In addition, Wellington harbour was sheltered and not affected by tides. It was not narrow, and would provide a safe landing. Mr A. R. Hislop referred to the central situation of Wellington. He said that he had divided New Zealand into three parts. The first, with Auckland as centre, would serve 275,000 people; the central area, with Wellington as centre, had 319,000 population; and the southern centre, which was Christchurch. had a population of 390,000. The distribution of mails from Wellington would take three hours and a half to the north and five hours to the south, he continued, whereas the distribution from Auckland would take seven hours to Dunedin and eight to Invercargill. Dangerous Eddies and Air Currents Mr Jones said that there was no doubt about the suitability of Wellington because of its central situation and as a distributing centre, but from reports he had received from airmen, he was satisfied that Wellington was not suitable for an air base. The weather was not always suitable, and the high hills round the harbour cut down the area available for landing. The hills also produced dangerous eddies and air currents. The Minister added that the Government would not be influenced in the selection of a terminal by any outside private interests. It would determine the terminus on the advice of experts; but before the service was established the claims of Wellington would be considered along with those of other ports. When the Government received the report of Mr F. V. L. Bertram (Director-General of Civil Aviation in England) and the views of the British and Australian Governments, a statement would be made about the local Government’s intentions.