TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27425, 11 August 1954, Page 10

TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Reopening Of Sydney Marine Base

COMMENT BY MAYOR OF WELLINGTON “The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, August 10. “The news that Rose Bay is to be reopened for a service to Tasmania makes it appear that the taking away of our flying-boats has been what one might call an unholy muddle.’ ” said the Mayor of Wellington (Mr R. L.

Macalister) on Monday evening. He was commenting on a report that the flying-boat base at Rose Bay, Sydney, was to be used for a direct SydneyHobart service.

“It only goes to show that the flyingboat service which operated so well and so successfully here could have been—and should have been—continued,” said Mr Macalister. “I think our New Zealand Tasman Empire Airways directors l should have some real explanation as to why they so quietly folded up when they must have known that this new service was going to operate almost immediately after. “When we were told that our flyingboat service was to be discontinued it was for one reason only—that Rose Bay was to be closed down. Now this is shown not to be the case. The fly-ing-boats were in good order and capable of further operation. There seems no reason why our service could not be continued.

“The whole situation requires complete revision—and some explanation,” said Mr Macalister.