TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 23564, 1 May 1940, Page 11

TASMAN AIR SERVICE

—<• , inaugurated yesterday THE AOTEAROA AT SYDNEY SYDNEY, April 30. Forging the last link in Australia’s chain of° aerial connections with the world the Aotenroa alighted at Rose Bay at 1.50 this afternoon to inaugurate the long-awaited Tasman air mail and passenger service. The actual landing, in beautiful weather, was broadcast, together with a ti\o-iiay conversation with the Hying boat many miles over the sea. The Federal Government was represented at the arrival by the Minister for Air, Mr J. V. Fairbairn, who congratulated Captain Burgess and the representatives of the co-operating companies on the consummation at long last of the important air link between the sister dominions Mr W. Taylor, the New Zealand Government Commissioner in Australia, spoke in similar strain and shook hands with members of the crow. Tributes to the crow were paid bv Mr Hudson Fysh, managing director of (juntas Airways, and Mr C. G. White, the latter also praising the part played by Colonel Falla in the negotiations. The passengers stated that the weather generally was very good. Ihe trip was made at an average altitude of 5,000 ft, and the Aotearoa was extremely steady and comfortable. All the passengers had a feeling of the utmost security.