BY RAIL AND AIR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22316, 29 April 1947, Page 4

BY RAIL AND AIR

AUCKLAND-CHRISTCHURCH VIKING’S SPECIAL TRIP (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, April 29. An invitation from the Railways Department to participate in the flight by the Vickers Viking aircraft to Christchurch and back in one day on May 3 has been received by the Mayor of Taumarunui, Mr. W. A. N. Campbell, and the chairmen of the county councils in the area. It is planned to demonstrate the results of the co-ordination of rail and air services. The whole journey from Taumarunui by train and aeroplane is scheduled to take 24 hours. A letter received by Mr. Campbell from the general manager of railways, Mr. J. Sawers, states that the Viking’s manufacturers have placed it at the disposal of the department for a whole day on May 3. “It is proposed to provide on this day a service by air between Paraparaumu airfield and Christchurch to connect the Auckland-Wellington express train with the morning express from Christchurch to Invercargill,” said Mr. Sawers. Passengers would be taken from the express at Paekakariki on the morning of May 3 to Paraparaumu, where they would board the aircraft and be flown to Christchurch, breakfast being provided en route. At Christchurch a connection for those who desired it, would be made with the south express. The plane would leave on its return trip about 1.45 p.m. to connect with the Welling-ton-Auckland express at Paekakariki the same day.