FLIGHTS OVER CITY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 53, 26 November 1929, Page 10

FLIGHTS OVER CITY

COUNCILLORS ANXIOUS SHOULD PASSENGERS HAVE PARACHUTES? When the by-laws relating to the Wellington Aerodrome were being considered by the City Council yesterday afternoon, some pertinent questions were addressed to the Mayor. Councillor C. D. Morpeth, who had noticed how popular a diversion flying was becoming in Wellington, asked if it were not considered right and proper that all passengers should be provided with parachutes. The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) : That would have to be done by Statute. We could not do it by regulation. I have no doubt the Government will attend to that matter a little later. Councillor W. J. Gaudin wanted to know if all the machines that were now flying in Wellington were submitted to any sort of daily test. Was there any standard test at all of these pleasure aircraft? If so, when was it made, and who made it? He thought that the council should insist on something of the kind in view of the danger to life. The Mayor: Well, I don’t know, The Harbour Board does not guarantee every vessel that goes in or out of the harbour. It is a matter for the Government inspectors, I should think, seeing that the Government gives out the licenses. Councillor R. Semple: There is no doubt that something of the kind should be done. With people risking their lives in them, there should be an overhaul every, day. The Mayor: The Government has all the experts, and should examine the machines at reasonable intervals of time. Then there is the matter of insurance—of third party risk—and lots of other things still to be considered. Councillor Semple said it was essential that machines should be regularly inspected by men who knew their job, and something should be done about insurance.