LOCKHEED AIRLINERS CHRISTENED

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 21, 19 October 1938, Page 6

LOCKHEED AIRLINERS CHRISTENED

Two New Machines PALMERSTON NORTH CEREMONY Dominion Special Service. PALMERSTON N., October 18. Christened to-day at Milson Aerodrome, Palmerston North, two of the newest Lockheed planes of Union Airways will be put into service in the very near future. They were given the names Kahu (hawk) and Kaka (native parrot) by the mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford, and Mr.,l). E. Smillie, president of Milson Aerodrome, Inc., respectively. Among the guests of Union Airways were Mr. C. G. White, acting-chairman of directors of Union Airways of New Zealand, Mr. D. Collis, chairman of the Kairanga County Council, Messrs. A. Grigor, W. Mouldey, W. G. Black and G. Tremaine, city councillors, Mr. J. R. Hardie, town clerk, Mr. J. R. Hughes, city engineer, Mr. W. H. Hindle, New Zealand manager for Brown and Dureau, Ltd., agents for the makers. An apology was received from Mr. A. J. Graham, president of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce. The guests were entertained at afternoon tea in the Union Airways administrative quarters, and were taken for a flight over the city in the Kahu, Mr. A. G. Gerrand, manager, and Commander R. A. Kirkup being at the controls. “We look upon this as another step forward in civil aviation in the Dominion,” said Mr. White at the beginning of the ceremony. Union Airways had endeavoured to keep in step with the progress of civil aviation and he hoped that the public would appreciate their efforts more than in the last two years. “We have an organisation in Palmerston North which, we hope, will help in th'e growth of the city as well as the Dominion generally, and that it will help in pushing forward the growth of civil aviation,” he said. Mr. Mansford said that gathering marked another step in the march of progress by Union Airways. Palmerston North appreciated the fact that Union Airways had been in the van so far as civil aviation was concerned in the Dominion and appreciated the record of service and safety second to none in the world. By a happy choice of pilots, all of whom until a short, time ago were New Zealanders, those who had travelled on Union Airways’ services had been shown a high standard of courtesy and attention. He was surprised to learn that air travel had not been given the support which was anticipated. More mail was being carried by air, however, and he hoped that passenger traffic would show the same increase. Dlr. Mansford congratulated Union Airways on its progressiveness, which was demonstrated by the commissioning of two new modern planes. “I hope this machine will have a long and useful life in the service of Union Airways,” he said, as he drew off the ensign covering the sleek silver nose of Kahu. whose registration letters are ZKAGJ. . . Cr. Smilie said that the greater part of the wonderful success which had followed the establishment of Milson Aerodrome was attributable to Union Airways, which made Palmerston North the commercial air centre of the Dominion. He would nof be satisfied until the terminal point in the Dominion of the trans-Tasman service was Palmerston North. He wished Union Airways every success m its enterprise, and he added that he was confident financial success would quickly follow the company’s progress. He wished the machine, ZKAEK, long, safe, and successful service. For many of the guests it was the first flight they had experienced. Two trips were made and conditions were perfect. To the south and west stretched the Tarariia Ranges and the mountains of the South Island with Knpiti standing off the coast apparently only a short distance away. To the north and east rose the shapelv con e of Mt. Egmont and rugged Ruapehu, both snow-clad and wearing coronets'of cloud. Nearer still were the Ruahines, and below the broad Manawatu plains lay smiling in the sunlight. Prominent landmarks in and around the city itself were Massey Agricultural College, several church steeples, the white obelisk of the new T. and G. Building and various parks. The new roof on the grandstand at the showgrounds was most noticeable. It is understood that the Knhu will start her service next Monday. The Kaka will be placed on the routes when the summertime service operates.