TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 April 1940, Page 2

TASMAN AIR SERVICE

BEGINNING THIS MONTH

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, April 16. The Tasman air service is- likely to be inaugurated eithei' early next week or the following week, and an early official announcement is expected. The dates mentioned tentatively are next Monday or Tuesday, or the following Monday or Tuesday, April 29 or 30. The first flight will be made from Auckland to Sydney in the modified Empire flying-boat Aotearoa, which is regarded as Tasman Empire Airways flagship. Captain J. W. Burgess will probably be in command, and it is expected that passengers will be carried as well as mail. » After the delivery flight of more than 12,000 miles from England, the Awarua was taken to Hobsonville shortly after reaching Auckland for routine cleaning of the hull and general inspection. The machine was taken from the water and is now almost ready for service. The Awarua will probably return to the base at Mechanics Bay this week to be moored alongside the Aotearoa, which was prepared for use on the Tasman service some weeks ago.

DIRECTORS OF COMPANY. WELLINGTON, April 16. It was announced to-night by the Minister! in charge of Aviation (Mr . Jones) that the directors of Tasman : Empire Airways, Ltd., which company is in the process of formation to operate the Tasman air service will be: — United Kingdom representatives, Mr A. E. Rudder, C.8.E., Colonel N. S. Falla, C.M.G., D. 5.0.; Australian representatives, Mr Fergus McMaster and Mr W. Hudson Fysh, D.F.C.; New Zealand representatives, Mr T. A. Barrow and Mr C. G. White. “The operations of the company,” said the Minister, “will be controlled by a commission, on which will be a representative of the United, Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. It is expected that these appointments will be announced in the near future.” ' | WELLINGTON CONFERENCE WELLINGTON, April 17. The question of a suitable date for the inauguration of the trans-Tasman air service was discussed to-day between representatives lot the New Zealand and Australian Governments, and the newly-appointed directors of Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd. Though no official indication was forthcoming, it is more than probable' that the first flight will take place next week. AUSTRALIAN STATEMENT , 1 CANBERRA, April 16. * A company is being formed to cot’operate with the Trans-Tasman air service. It has not yet signed l the [agreement. Consequently it is im|possible to' announce the date of its i inauguration, said the Minister of Air, Mr. Fairbairn, to-day. He added that the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, had initialled the agreement, but there were certain legal formalities still to bo completed.