MT. COOK AIR TAXIS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 8

MT. COOK AIR TAXIS

Monopoly Rights Sought LICENSE APPLICATION An application for an air taxi license with monopoly rights so far as air transport was concerned was made to the Transport Co-ordination Board yesterday afternoon by the Mount Cook Tourist Company. On behalf of the company, Mr. AV. J. Sim said that his company’s activities would centre around the Hermitage, and it also sought the right to meet other services, such as the trunk line. Tlie company did not propose to operate in the North Island. It was prepared to make an aerodrome at the Hermitage, and lie asked'that it should have a monopoly of bringing passengers to and from the Hermitage, in order to protect its own air and motor service. He asked, further, for the right to carry passengers to and from Queenstown, the other resort. He did not ask protection for this, however. Mr. R. L. AVigley, managing director of” the Mount Cook-Tourist Company, said he would have to start work on the making of'an aerodrome before March 31 or he would lose the Government grant that was available. • Mr. J. P. AVard, representing New Zealand Airways Ltd., protested against the "monopoly joke” that had been sprung upon the board. Did Air. AVigley want only guests who arrived in his" motors or his aeroplanes'? “Plenty of Tussocks.” Mr. AVigley said that it was to prevent another company from advertising taxi services to the Hermitage. “You are a licensed public hotel bound to take anybody who can pay the tariff’?” asked. Mr. AVard. Mr. AVigley: Yes. Mr. AVard: AVhere else could they sleep'? Mr. AVigley : There are plenty of tussocks. Air. AVard: “There are plenty of tussocks.” Is that what you said'? Air. AVigley: Yes. Air. AVard : They could sleep in the tussocks'?

Air. AVigley: There are plenty of tussocks.

'The application was adjourned to allow the company to submit proposed fares to the board.