TASMAN AIR BASE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 21, 25 January 1940, Page 8

TASMAN AIR BASE

WELLINGTON'S CLAIM

".VIEWS OF HARBOUR BOARD

The opinion that in view of the successful arrival of the Tasman Empire Airways' flying-boat Aotearoa at Evans Bay last week further representations should be made to the Government, pressing Wellington's claim as a base for the service, was expressed at a meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board last evening. It was decided to write to the Prime Minister, thanking the Government for bringing the Aotearoa to Wellington on a most important flight. "Those responsible for the Aotearoa making this port the place or arrival in the flight direct from Sydney, and conveying Lord and Lady Willingdon, the Hon. P. A. M. Mcßride and Mrs. Mcßride, the Hon. F. Jones and. Mrs. Jones, and other distinguished passen-, gers, have asked me to convey to the board their complete satisfaction and thanks for the excellent arrangements that were made for the Aotearoa and the, landing of passengers at Evans Bay," said the chairman, Mr. M. A. Eliott. "This flight has proved that Wellington is well suited for, and should be utilised as, one of the ports of call of the trans-Tasman air service. The Wellington Harbour Board will continue its efforts with-the Government to have this brought about. The arguments already put up to the Government are convincing, and the flight, of the Aotearoa proves jthat Wellington is entitled to the utmost consideration and approval of those responsible for the service." ' v , Mr. C. H. Chapman, after Mr. W. Appleton had moved the motion of thanks to the Government, said he considered that the board should again consider the provision of proper facilities, in view of the possibility of other visits of flying-boats. : Mr. Eliott said the Government would have to be approached again. For the -Harbour Board alone to do it the cost would be prohibitive—the base at Auckland was subsidised by the British, Australian, and New Zealand Governments. Mr. W. H. Price agreed that the cost would be great to establish a base such as Auckland, and much work would have to be done. Mr. Chapman said the visit of the flying-boat had made it almost compulsory for the board to raise the subject again. ; ■. . Mr. J. O. Johnson said he understood that Wellington was not so suitable as Auckland, but after a per- ' feet landing in Wellington the flying-j boat went to Auckland and could not land at all because of fog, and filially had to land in Manukau Harbour. Wellington was the centre and the natural place to land—the only possible argiiment was that Wellington, weather was unsuitable, and that argument had been "knocked." Sir Charles Norwood said that figures taken over a period showed that 24,000 persons landed, and went away by air in Wellington, as against 4000 in Auckland, and as far. as he knew there had never been an accident at Wellington in any of the services. The experience of the Aotearoa showed that there should be some second place of landing. ... • •...:■/ .. ' [

Mr; Eliott'said the board was watching the position very carefully, and at the slightest opportunity there would be another deputation on Hhe matter, but he "thought it Avbiilci be premature at the moment. ;: " *<'. V'