A PUBLIC WORKS AEROPLANE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21975, 26 December 1936, Page 10

A PUBLIC WORKS AEROPLANE

♦ MACHINE TO BE BOUGHT BY GOVERNMENT USE BY MINISTER AND TECHNICAL OFFICERS ' (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 25. A survey aeroplane is to be acquired by the Government for use by the technical officers of the Public Works Department and on occasions, when time is an important factor, in inspection by the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple). It is proposed to purchase a two-seater machine with a large capacity for carrying luggage and surveying instruments. It will be of a type suited to all weathei, and of an airworthiness giving the best possible efficiency in flying low over all kinds of country and landing and taking off from emergency grounds and smaller aerodromes. The machine will be housed at the Rongotai aerodrome, Wellington, and will be available for the Minister to make quick inspectional visits to public works, and for departmental engineers and surveyors who are called upon to survey areas and routes on which . developmental works may be projected. “SAYING OF TIME AND MONEY” DEFENCE DEPARTMENT TO CONTROL AEROPLANE [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, December 25. The Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) said on Thursday that the decision to acquire an aeroplane for the Public Works Department would mean a saving of time and money. A great deal of inspectional work and preparatory surveying had to be done, and it had been proved in other countries that survey from the air was of immense advantage to engineers. The departmental engineer for aerodromes, who himself was an aviation pilot, had to carry out surveys and prepare reports on likely landing grounds, to say nothing about areas for public works. Consequently, it would be of great advantage to have such a machine available for quick inspection from the air, the Minister said. It is understood, however, that the new aeroplane will not be set apart exclusively for use by the Public Works Department. The Defence Department will have control of the aeroplane, which will be rated as a New Zealand Air Force unit. The Government, while agreeing to economical use of the aeroplane for departmental service, also firmly holds the opinion that such a machine—or machines, in the future —could not be allowed to “fly loose,” so to speak. The Defence Department must retain control of all State aircraft.