COOK STRAIT AIRWAYS

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 22

COOK STRAIT AIRWAYS

SERVICE EXTENDED TO WEST COAST [Pee United Press Association.] QUEENSTOWN, February 19. The announcement that he had granted permission for the Cook Strait Airways to extend their services from Nelson to Hokitika was made in an interview to-night by the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple). - Mr Semple said that the new service would bring the West Coast within a few hours of Wellington, and would in time become an important link in the steady development of safe, efficient, anil up-to-date commercial air services in the Dominion. “ The new service will be commenced on February 23,” the Minister said, “ and the first plane, a twin-engined De Havilland Rapide, with accommodation for six passengers, will leave Nelson at 8 a.m., returning from Hokitika at 10.45 a.m., and reaching Nelson in time to connect with the regular 11.30 plane for Wellington, which arrives at Rongotai at 2.45 p.m. Passengers from the West Coast will be able to make the journey to Wellington in three to three hours and a-half. and can be assured of connection with the 3 p.m. Main Trunk express, thin enabling them, if so desired, to reach Palmerston North at 6 p.m. the same day, and Auckland at 7 a.m. the following morning. This time-table will be maintained on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays of each week, with calls being made at Groymoiitb as required in either direction, and at Westport when the aerodrome there is ready for use.” 'The Minister said be bad been informed that at present it was impracticable for the Cook Strait Airways to provide a one-day service from Wellington to the West Coast, but it was probable that such a service would be in operation in the near future. “ The question of fares is an important factor in regard to air services,” Mr Semple added. “ Speed costs'money, and' for some time at least for long-distance routes the fares will remain considerably higher than those by the surface services. Tn the meantime I have agreed to the following fares for the new West Coast service:—Wellington to Hokitika and vice versa, £6 ; Wellington to Westport and vice versa, £4 ss: Nelson to Westport and vice versa, £2 15s; Nelson to Greymouth and vice versa, £4 ss; Nelson to Hokitika and vice versa, £4 10s; Westport to Greymouth and vice versa, £1 10s; Greymouth to Hokitika and vice versa, 10s. These fares will he subject to review in the light of experience from time to time.”