U.S. AIRCRAFT’S VISIT

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25737, 24 February 1949, Page 6

U.S. AIRCRAFT’S VISIT

LANDING AT HAREWOOD SOUGHT Hope that the Government through the civil aviation branch of the Air Department would show the courtesy to the city of Christchurch of giving permission for a large American aircraft to be landed at Harewood to pick up delegates to the Pacific Science Congress who are returning to the United States was expressed bv the chairman of the South Island Overseas Air Terminal Committee (Mr J. R. Dench) in a statement last evening.

Mr Dench said he had been advised by prominent delegates to the Science Congress that plans had been made to fly. the aircraft from Whenuapai to Christchurch to pick up the delegates for-direct feturn to th 3 United States. Unfortunately, a Skymaster which brought delegates to the congress had to land at Wigram. “The surroundings of Harewood and the view from the air are infinitely better than those at W T igram,” said Mr Dench. “The publicity to be gained from good impressions is likely to be of lasting benefit, as these delegates are emphatic that the tourist attractions of New Zealand, and the South Island in narticular, must in due time bring us thousands of tourists from the North American continent, with considerable profit to the country. “The use of Harewood for this class of aircraft would provide an opportunity for worthwhile opinions of the aerodrome to be gained from pilots of big aircraft. It has been very unfortunate to note that lately, although Harewood is the city's airport, prominent visitors such as Mr Anthonv Eden and the Chief Scout (Lord Rowallan). arriving by air. have been brought to Wigram. Although the aircraft which brought Mr Eden to Christchurch is nominally a Royal New Zealand Air Force machine. It was purchased bv the Government so that it could be used for the transport of nrominent visitors as well as Cabinet Ministers.

Mr Dench added that he hoped the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) would take .up with the Government the question of allowing the American aircraft to land at Harewood.