AIR SERVICES

Evening Star, Issue 22194, 23 November 1935, Page 32

AIR SERVICES

N.Z.-PAM-PAGIFIC COMPANY AGREEMENT RATIFICATION TO-DAY [l’ru United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 22. Arraugemciits have been made to sign to-morrow the agreement between the Government and the Pan-American Airways for the inauguration of the transpacific air service between San Francisco and Auckland. The signatures to the agreement will be those of Mr Coates as Minister of Transport, and of Mr Lisle Aiderton as attorney for the Airways Corporation. Several important alterations have been made in the agreement as finally prepared for signature. , The PanAmerican Airways is to provide a service with a minimum of two return trips a month, and a maximum of not more than two trips a week. The service is to be commenced not later than the end of next year, jiut if sufficient cause for delay is shown by the corporation the commencement date may be extended by the New Zealand Government for a further 12 months—that is, until the end of 1937. The much-discussed reciprocity clause has been further amended. It now provides that jf a British service operating from New Zealand desires a port of call on American territory in'the Pacific Ocean or on the Pacific Coast of the United States, and the required permission is refused by the United States Government, the Pan-American’s concession to use Auckland may be cancelled b„ the New Zealand Government on 12 months’ notice. Thus to the Empire interests are reserved the same rights as have been conceded to those of the United States, Permission has been, granted to the corporation to_ operate its own beam wireless direction service at Auckland to assist in the navigation of its machines. The corporation will also have the right to operate an ordinary radio communication service from Auckland to its machines while they are flying. The radio business outside the requirements of the company will he handled by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department. Finality has not yet been reached concerning the Auckland terminal for the service. Tentative plans have been prepared by the Auckland Harbour Board, and are now being considered by the corporation’s experts in New Yorfr. The accommodation suggested in the plans will be large enough not only for the Pan-American, but also for the Imperial Airways service across the Tasman, which is expected to be started in 1937. and there will be spare accommodation for another flying boat service. The triangle of water between Rangitoto Channel, Brown’s Island, and Lady’s Bay is considered ’to have sufficient depth and sufficiently long runways in any direction for the world’s largest flying boats.