COOK STRAIT AIR SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 10

COOK STRAIT AIR SERVICE

Low Fares Suggested

TWO APPLICANTS FOR LICENSE Could Start This Year Rival applications for the right to run an air service across Cook Strait occupied the Transport Co-ordination Board for a considerable time yesterday. The first application heard was that of the Goodwin-Chichester Aviation Company, Mr. G. D. M. Goodwin being its representative. He said that the company had been formed in 1928. ami had been active until 1932 when it had suspended operations. They had had matters arranged for a Cook Strait service in 1931, but with the advent of the depression had decided to wait a little longer. The company proposed to use Avro Sixes, high wing monoplanes, each powered by three Genet Major engines, which carried a pilot and five passengers at a top speed of 130 m.p.h.. and a cruising speed of 105 m.p.h. The machines which he proposed to use, be said, were comparatively slow, but speed was no great object in New Zealand Speedy aircraft were very necessary In Europe, where there was competition that there would not oe in New Zealand. One of bis machines might take 25 minutes over the run, tis against 15 minutes by one of those proposed to be used by ,tlie company tjp. posing his application. For that gain of 10 minutes, he did not think that a small company would be justified in embarking on the greater expense that would follow. He was also satisfied that despite fog, and the fact that Nelson aerodrome was not quite adequate yet, the company could provide regularity of service. Rates of Proposed Fares.

The fares proposed were WellingtonNelson, £l/3/-; Wellington-Blenheim. 17/-; Blenheim-Nelson, 15/-. They were low, but the directors had considered the psychology of prospective passengers. People h.l<l said that they could not afford to fly. The company proposed to operate at these fares for three months, to get the people accustomed to flying. Once they had made a journey by air they would continue to fly. Then, with the permission of the board, the company would increase the fares. It also intended to make a ’further charge of 2/6 per passenger to i cover admission to aerodromes, and proportion of landing fees. Mr. 11. J. Knight, representing White Star Services, said that the proposed fares between Blenehim and Nelson were below those charged by the road motor services.

Mr. Goodwin replied that his company would have to charge less than the existing service to persuade travellers to go by air. They did not expect to get the traffic that the motor services picked up between’ the two towns. The chairman, Sir Stephen Allen: What charges do you propose to make after the first three months when the service is established. Mr. Goodwin: 'That would be a matter for the board. Mr. Knight asked that, if a license were given the company, the faros fixed should not lie competitive with existing road services. Much Faster Machines. To Mr. C. G. White, for Cook Strait Airways, he said that the machines which Cook Strait Airways proposed io use were much faster than his. His company would take passengers from aerodrome to aerodrome and did not intend to convey them between town and aerodrome. . , Answering the chairman, Mr. Goodwin said that he did not now propose to use either a Monospar or a Cutty Sark. Sir Stephen observed that the Controller of Civil Aviation had expressed the view that the Cutty Sark was unsuitable. Mr. Goodwin said he would be prepared to start about the end of July. He would apply for a subsidy if it .were available, but had made no allowance for one. Mr. White suggested that £12.000 was not adequate for all purposes lor the service. The machines which the Goodwin-Chichester Aviation Company proposed had not been submitted to them-by the Avro Company as suitable for the service; nor were they the type which the Goodwin-Chichester Company as agents for the Avro Company had suggested. Capital of £5Q,000. Making application on behalf of Cook Strait Airways. Ltd. (Nelson) for a service between Wellington and Hokitika, with stops at Blenheim and Nelson. Mr. C. G. White said_that rite company had a capital of £<.'o,ooo. Hie men engaged in it were all connected with transport, and if £50.000 was not found sufficient, . I lie prestige of the shareholders was such Hint the, money req'liired would be available. They attached no condition tn Hie application witli regard to subsidy. His machines, lie said, would probably be of Avro manufacture, but no did not think the company could start until the end of October. Mr. While also criticised Mr. Goodwin’s estimates of the cost of operation. There was no question of his company coming back to the board for an increase in fares, lie said. Mr. E. 11. Thompson, secretary of. tlie company, said that £17,500 was already paid up. and, they had the promise of Hie chief shareholders. the Union Steam Ship Company, lite Anchor Shipping Company, and Messrs. Newnian Bros., that they would provide further finance as required. It was proposed to operate regularly between Wellington; Blenheim- and Nelson, but not regularly to Hokitika at present. Mr. Thompson stated. Flight Lieutenant G. B. Bolt said that lie had been engaged as chief pilot and technical adviser. He had had perhaps bettor experience of the Strait than anyone else. For the safety of the public, multi-engined machines were essential. Weather conditions were such that a fairly fast machine was necessary. The machine he had in mind, witli two engines, and a cruising speed of 150 m.p.h.. was very suitable. On many occasions it would be necessary to fly the Nelson-Blenheim service along the coast. The board reserved its decision.