Wellington-Melbourne Air Link Supported

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29872, 12 July 1962, Page 10

Wellington-Melbourne Air Link Supported

(Neto Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. July 11. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr F. J. Kitts) today took advantage of the new Compac telephone link across the Tasman to press a claim for a direct WellingtonMelbourne air link. He was speaking to the Lord Mayor of Melbourne. Aiderman Nathan. The cal! was one of a number of courtesy calls provided by the Chief Postmaster of Wellington, Mr P. H Lewis, marking the opening of the link. The olea for an air link was reinforced by the president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr

G. E. Stock, when his call came through to the vicepresident of the Melbourne chamber. Mr L L Wathen Mr Kitts told Aiderman Nathan he had been “hammering” the idea of a direct air link for a long time. It would, he said, be an obvious improvement to have a single link between the two countries and would probably provide a more economic service than the present services out of Christchurch and Auckland which were often not fully booked If full jets were used. Wellington would have to extend its runway, but Mr Kitts hinted that this would be possible. At the Lord Mayor’s suggestion Mr Kitts said he would put the proposal in writing.