Hovercraft Plan For Waitaki Valley

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32118, 14 October 1969, Page 1

Hovercraft Plan For Waitaki Valley

v , (New Zealand Preu Association) OAMARU, October 13.

Extensive investigation into the introduction of a hovercraft service in the Waitaki Valley and Mackenzie basin has been made by the Lake Benmore Tourist Company.

The managing-director, Mr M. Douglas, said today that the investigations were part of a long-term look at the requirements of the area. Mr Douglas said extensive inquiries had been made in both England and America and technical aspects of adapting to New Zealand’s conditions had been students. A hovercraft used in the Waitaki and Mackenzie area would have to be able to compete with road transport, he said, At the moment it could not do so, but tho’C considering the development of the area had to look five or 10 years ahead. Investigations had been made into the availability and feasibility of the use of a hovercraft in the are,.. Mr Douglas said that manufacturers considered that a hovercraft could be adapted for use in the lakes and valley systems. In addition to catering for an expanding tourist industry in the area such a craft would be invaluable in servicing the runs in the Mackenzie in winter and during the spring thaws, Mr Douglas said.

He emphasised that the introduction of such a draft was very much in the investigation stage.