FLIGHTS TO CHATHAMS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29067, 2 December 1959, Page 27

FLIGHTS TO CHATHAMS

Minister Hoping For Resumption

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 1. Urgent steps to maintain a passenger link with the Chatham Islands were announced today by the Minister of Island Territories (Mr Mathison). He said a Ministry of Works’ team would fly to the Chathams —probably at the end of the week —to sweep the landing area at Waitangi clear of obstructions, and the Departinent of Island Territories had asked fbr an urgent report on the state of the private airstrip at Hapupu. If the airstrip was up to standard the Ministry of Works’ survey team, with its equipment, will be flown in by an R.N.Z.A.F. DC-3.

A chartered vessel will be used if Hapupu is found to be unserviceable. Mr Mathison said it u’as hoped that with the launch already available, the Waitangi lagoon could be surveyed for obstructions within two weeks, and the R.N.Z.A.F. flying-boat service resumed in time for school children to return home. If this was not possible, it was hoped to make arrangements for a naval vessel to take the children back to the island.

“Unfortunately, the projected air trip for December 9 must be postponed, but I hope all intending passengers for the Chathams will be catered for by Christmas,” Mr Mathison said. “This

will depend on the results of the survey, but every endeavour will be made to have air transport in operation as soon as possible, to meet the travel requirements of the islanders.”