NO PALMERSTON STOP

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 247, 16 July 1935, Page 11

NO PALMERSTON STOP

Great Pacific Airways’ Daily Service BOARD GIVES FINDING Palmerston North will not be a port of call on Great Pacific Airways’ daily service from 1 Auckland to Dunedin, when it comes into operation, although the city will be the northern terminal of the service to be operated by Union Airways between Palmerston North and Dunedin, the Transport Co-ordina-tion Board decided yesterday. When the board announced its finding on the trunk service applications in April last, licenses were granted to Great Pacific Airways (N.Z.) Ltd. to operate a service between Auckland and Dunedin with calls at New Plymouth. Wanganui, Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurch and Tiinaru; and to Union Airways of New Zealand Ltd., to fly between Palmerston North and Dunedin, with stops at Blenheim and Christchurch. At that time the board observed that it might be that Palmerston North would lie sufficiently provided for by the Union service, without being made a calling place for Great Pacific Airways.

Since then the board has asked the two companies to submit written arguments as to the possible call at Palmerston North by Great Pacific Airways. “After considering these we have decided to omit Palmerston North from the route to be followed by that company,” states the board. “We give the following reasons: — “1. The main object of the service is to connect the four main centres with as rapid a transit as possible. As few stops as possible—consistent with genera] convenience—should be made on the journey. “2. Palmerston North is less than 50 miles from Wanganui, at which place the service is to call.

“3. By omitting Palmerston North the service is more direct, and the route follows the sea eoast throughout its length, which is a great advantage in bad weather. “4. Palmerston North will be well served as regards connections with the South Island by Union Airways, which will give a direct service, and it already has excellent and fast connections with Auckland by rail and with Wellington by rail and road. “If, as, the result of experience, a call at Palmerston North seems desirable after the service has commenced, it will be open to Great Pacific Airways to apply for an amendment of its route.”