Chathams want growth

Press, 2 June 1977, Page 4

Chathams want growth

Government subsidies on Chatham Islands air services should be spent on development there, it was claimed at an Air Services licensing Authority hearing yesterday.

The suggestion was in support of an application by Titan Air Services, Ltd, to operate commercial flights between Christchurch and the Chathams.

Yesterday was the second day of the hearing, which began with announcement of the Government’s decision to resume flights by Safe Air, Ltd, from Christchurch. These would operate in conjunction with the existing service from Wellington, which is subsidised by the Government. Patrick Francis Smith, a fanner in the Chathams, said in his submission to the authority that development in the'islands was essential for their survival. “I would like to see the subsidy go into the islands and benefit them, and let an air service pay for itself,” Mr Smith said. “We want the Chathams to develop. We want young farmers and fishermen there; young married couples to

take over the land. I’m lucky;; I’m married to a local girl; who will put up with the; conditions there.” The chairman of the Chat-! ham Islands County Council (Mr A. Preece), also gave evidence in support of Titan’s application. He repeated Mr Smith’s description of the need for development there. Unanimous support had been given to the application by the council, he said. It recognised that if the islands were to maintain “even the current modest development,” a much-improved air service was required. “The Chathams had outgrown the existing service, he said, which was “too cumbersome and expensive.”

Greater flexibility was needed, particularly as the Holmdale — the vessel which serves the Chathams

— had a limited life. If it was retired when the Government service contract ended in ten months, a larger vessel would probably be put on the run, he said. This would mean less trips and make imperative an assurance that urgent and essential supplies were available when needed. i

> Two farmer’s wives from, I Pitt Island — about 19km' 'from the main island — also gave evidence. Titan pro- ! poses to operate flights to I Pitt after developing an airstrip there. Mrs E. Lanauze, who has lived on Pitt for more than 40 years, said that she could not get even to the main island more than once a year. Getting off Pitt Island, involved radioing any nearby fishing boat to call in. As there was no harbour and very little lee, heavy seas often isolated the island for up to a week, particularly after storms. Mrs Lanauze is also District Nurse to the 60 people living on Pitt, and said an air service would aid in evacuating the sick. Two officials of the Chatham Islands Packing Company, Ltd—the largest fishery there—also made submissions. Their evidence said that recent development of the industry had occurred under “severe difficulties arising from most inadequate transport services.” The company was also disturbed at the number of

1 fishermen who had decided to i; leave the Chathams because yj their wives were unhappy at -Ithe isolation. “In the event yof improved regular air ser- - vices, we are confident that families would again settle on 5 the Island,” they said. i The hearing will continue; I today, but submissions are' i not expected to be completed i by the time it is adjourned this afternoon. Further evi- _ dence will not be heard until the authority next meets, , which could be a month [ away. . Residents of the Chathams I who have come to Christ- , church to support Titan’s application, may not be able to return then. ; An application was heard ! earlier from a West Coast 1 company wishing to increase 1 its air charter rates; to vary them according to the type ■ of aircraft; and to add three - types of aircraft to those i authorised by the existing, - licence. i Coast’ Air Charter, Ltd, of f Reefton, wants permission to - operate a Hughes helicopter, - a Cessna 206, and a Cessna > 185. Decision was reserved on the application, which was . objected to by Westland Fly- ! ing Services Ltd.