USE OF THE AIR SEEVICES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22240, 3 November 1937, Page 5

USE OF THE AIR SEEVICES

STEADY PROGRESS CONTINUES

MAIL AND PASSENGER FIGURES

Nothing has checked the steady advance which is being made in the use of the Dominion's air services, in respect of both mails and passengers. Of the 240 passengers who left Christchurch by Union Airways machines during October, 121 were for Blenheim, 49 for Palmerston North, and 70 for Dunedin. This total very nearly touches the record of 246 set up in August, and the figure for Dunedin, 70, is a record, attributable to the reduced fare on that run.

Among the 121 passengers for Blenheim were 65 for Wellington, the highest yet, and 15 for Nelson. In the Palmerston North lot were included three for New Plymouth and 21 for Auckland.

Machines of Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd., flew 138 hours in the month, carrying 56081b of mail, 18811b of freight, and 278 passengers. There was a total of 227 flights, spread over every day in the month. Last month, 24,188 letters were posted in Christchurch to go by inland air mail, compared with 14,677 in the same month in 1936, the number of postings in one day exceeding 1000 12 times. This was done only once in October, 1936. and that was on the first day of issue of the Chamber of Commerce series of special stamps, October 28. A total of 134 parcels was posted, compared with 85 in October, 1936. The largest number of postings of ordinary letters in one day in the month was 1312 on October 28.

FAR EAST RELIEF

FUND

COMMUNITY SINGING SESSION

PLANNED

In support of the Red Cross Society's eppeal for the Far East Relief Fund, a community singing session will be held in the Civic Theatre at noon on November 18. The City Council has offered the society its co-operation, and in the theatre there will be a produce stall, supplied with gifts from country centres.

About £2OO has been coHectcd in Christchurch so far. but a large sum has been taken in the country and has yet to be, sent into the city. Twentyfive branches of the society in Canterbury and Westland are co-operating with city people. Timaru has premised to raise £SOO. and Hokitika and Greymouth have indicated that they will raise -considerable amounts. The Canterbury Jockey Club and the Metropolitan Trotting Club have been approached and have offered to assist in the appeal. It is aimed to have special stickers, indicating a gift of 2s 6d, on every car in Canterbury. Shop window displays have been arranged, and the Canterbury Aero Club has offered to hold p field day to help the funds. The Si John Ambulance and the National Council of Women have also offered help. The appeal committee will meet today, and it is likely that Christchurch will follow the lead of Wellington and open a subscription list for the Chinese people of the city.