FLIGHT TO BATAVIA

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 290, 3 September 1931, Page 9

FLIGHT TO BATAVIA

Plans of New Zealand Pioneer Airwoman SHOWING BY EXAMPLE By Telegraph—Frees Asm. —Copyright London, September 1. The New Zealander, Mrs. H. B. Hewlett, pioneer avlatrlx, who before the war taught flying to her son (now In command of the R.A.F. base at Fife), Intends to fly from London to Batavia, starting to-morrow. From Java she will sail to Sydney and New Zealand. “I want to wake up Australians and New Zealanders to the Importance of speedy communication with Europe, she says, “and I consider the best way to do so Is by practical example. “It Is heartbreaking that one cannot fly the extra 500 miles from Sourabaya to Darwin. I have moved Heaven and earth to do so, but was told that It wa» impossible. 1 “Australians ought to realise that Europe is literally knocking at their door. I hope to be able to convince Australians of the urgency of linking up with the Dutch airways.” FASTER AIR SERVICE Linking Africa to England DIRECT PALESTINE ROUTE Official Wireless, lugby, August 8L Progress in the construction of a great maritime port at Haifa, on the coast of Palestine, will make It possible for Imperial Airways to introduce experimentally a faster and more direct winter air service between Britain and India, beginning in mid-Octo-ber. Arrangements have been made for two Empire alr-mall services to leave London every week—one on Saturday and the other on Wednesday. The Saturday service will carry Indian air mall and, after leaving Athens, will continue by flying-boat via Cyprus to Haifa instead of via Crete to Alexandria.

At Haifa triple-screw land planes will continue the journey direct across Palestine and Iraq to Bagdad. The air mall will arrive at Karachi In fewer than six days after leaving London.

The existing service between Palestine and Egypt will be retained, and 'will give through connections between Central Africa and India. The new arrangements will provide a direct air service between Britain and Palestine, and It will now also be possible to fly from Kenya Colony to India via Egypt in only eight days.