THICK FOG HOLDS UP TRAFFIC ON AUCKLAND ROUTES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22951, 20 May 1949, Page 6

THICK FOG HOLDS UP TRAFFIC ON AUCKLAND ROUTES

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 19. Heavv fog that lay in patches over Auckland yesterday interfered with transport bv air, road and sea. A dense blanket over Whenuapai did not disperse until about mid-day and caused delay to a number of aircraft belonging to the National Airways Coroorati'dn and affected the travel plans of more than 100 passengers, Bv rearranging some of the flights the corporation’s staff succeeded during the afternoon in carrying all passengers who had booked although some were several hours late in reaching their destinations. Auckland was not alone in experiencing fog. The Tasman flying boat was unable to leave Rose Bay, Sydney, until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, New Zealand time, and made a night landing on the Waitemata at 10.30 o’clock last night in misty fog. Whenuapai Delay

Five outward-bound aircraft from Auckland were held at Whenuapai until the weather cleared and inward-bound planes were delayed at both Hamilton and Paraoaraumu until it was considered sufficiently clear to approach the Auckland airport.

Some passengers reached Whenuapai bv about 8 o'clock and others got there at 11. but none were able to leave by Diane until after mid-day. Between 70 and 80 passengers were assembled in the airways buildings waiting for the fog to lift and they had lunch before the first olane was able to take off at 12.28 o'clock for New Plymouth and Palmerston North.

The North bound plane from Christ'’hurch and another from Gisborne and Hamilton were both delayed at Rukuhia, Hamilton, because of fog at Whenuapai. They were released to resume their flights as soon as the fog had dispersed enough to make safe landings possible. Busy Afternoon After a morning completely free from aircraft movements Whenuapai was unusually busy early in the afternoon with the accumulated traffic. The southbound Pan American Clipper, which arrived shortly after 2 o’clock, was not affected and landed to time, but even at this hour there was enough fog in wirps lying above the aerodrome to hide the Skymaster several times in the enurs" of the circuit of the field at low altitude. Shinping on both the Waitemata and Manukau harbours was affected to some degree by the fog. Over 50 passengers waited at Whenua nai airfield again this morning until the fo" e'eared at about 10 o’clock. Five aircraft on New Zealand runs and one Skymaster for Australia were held un. The last of these was away bv 10.15.

Fol'owing yesterday’s dense haze and last night’s thick fog today's weather was brilliantly fine. '