THE IMPERIAL AIR MAILS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 99, 21 January 1935, Page 8

THE IMPERIAL AIR MAILS

, As a result of mishaps involving delays which suggest unsatisfactory ground organisation at Darwin the Imperial air-liner Athena has left on her return journey to England a day late. Both landing and departure were impeded by circumstances which adequate provision could easily have avoided. Landing was made difficult because the pilot was unable to see the beacon. As one result he had to make an emergency landing some distance away, by which time the petrol supply was exhausted. An emergency plane sent up to tranship the mails met with an accident and its petrol supply had to be transferred to the Athena. On the take-off the Athena sank into the mud. More delay. The Federal Government possibly has forestalled sharp criticism by announcing an expenditure of £25,000 for the improvement of the Darwin and Mascot aerodromes, but in the present state of affairs it would hardly be surprising if the Imperial Government—and Imperial Airways—turned a questioning eye on the existing ground organisation. The Timor Sea is regarded as one of the most difficult stages of the long traverse from Croydon to Australia,, and only a miracle, it seems, saved the Athena from disaster when with his petrol supply almost exhausted the pilot sighted land. The question naturally arises, what is being done to make the New Zealand airport terminal. of the Tasman crossing fit for handling heavy air-liners of the type which will be required to carry air mails over that difficult stretch? If it is found necessary, after Australia, has been, actually linked up to the Imperial system and regular services are in operation, to spend a large sum in improving the grounds at Darwin and Mascot, is it not likely that even the most suitable airport we have will require considerable improvement to make it fit for handling air-liner traffic? The Tasman link is not a thing of the dim and distant future but a certainty that developments in aviation are bringing rapidly nearer. We should be well prepared for its advent.