CHERRIES BY AIR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 11 December 1946, Page 4

CHERRIES BY AIR

SUPPLIES FROM OTAGO NORTH ISLAND MARKET (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH. Dec. 11. By January 15 at least 65.0001 b. of cherries will have been flown by R.N.Z.A.F. Dakota aircraft from Christchurch to Auckland. Mos.t of the cherries will be from the Roxburgh district, Otago, but the first stage of the transport will be by rail. The first load of about 14001 b. left Harewood airport for Auckland yesterday. Details of the scheme whereby the Air Force is co-operating with the Railways Department for quick . consignments of cherries to the North Island were given by Flight Lieutenant F. Carpenter, Air Force transport officer in Christchurch. Fie said that the transport of cherries would not prevent the aircraft from carrying 24 passengers as usual, as on most days the loads would be spread evenly over four Dakotas. On several other days before and after Christmas, provision had been made for a flight by an extra aircraft, which would carry a full load of cherries. , Although all the cnemes will be consigned .to Auckland, it is understood that the Railways Department has made arrangements for redistribution to other centres in the North Island. This quick system of transportation means that cherries railed in Roxburgh one morning will be on sale in Auckland the following afternoon.