FEEDER SERVICE FOR HAREWOOD

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27367, 4 June 1954, Page 10

FEEDER SERVICE FOR HAREWOOD

DEVELOPMENT OF RONGOTAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DECISION Hand in hand with Canterbury’s interest in developing Harewood as an international airport is Wellington’s interest in developing Rongotai to cater for internal traffic, according to several members of the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The council disagreed with the view of Sir Leonard Isitt, chairman of directors of the National Airways Corporation, that there were sufficient normal services from Paraparaumu to cater for passengers using the new Harewood service.

“The Wellington people will not be prepared to accept the decision that the existing Paraparaumu services are adequate,” said Mr R. C. Neville. “We should support the Wellington chamber in any action it might take to have better facilities from Rongotai.” Any decision to use the present Heron aircraft for a service from Rongatai to Harewood as a feeder service for the international service would obstruct the present Cook Strait service, said Mr J. B. Connor. “We have got an international airport, but we will never get full use from it until Rongotai is capable of taking Dakotas,” he said. “Wellington has had very little chance of getting an international airport within reasonable distance of the city, but it has a good chance of developing Rongotai as a good internal airport. We should support them.” Heron aircraft could be used from Rongotai to Blenheim, said Mr R. H. Hill, for they were not being fully used at present. From Blenheim Dakota aircraft could carry the passengers to Christchurch.

“While Rongotai is under construction it is going to be the testing time for Harewood,” said Mr G. H. Wood. “We must try to ensure that there is an efficient, comfortable, and fast feeder service for Wellington passengers.” The chamber agreed to press for a concerted effort by itself and the Wellington chamber for an efficient feeder service for the new Australian service.