East Coast Airways

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12530, 16 April 1935, Page 7

East Coast Airways

NEW SERVICE OPENED. ACTING-PREMIER’S CONGRATULATIONS. function at local AERODROME. Thought conditions were wholly unfavourable, .the official opening ceremony in Connection with the East Coast Airways Gisbornc-Napier service. passed off without a hitch yesterday at the Darton Field aerodrome. Despite drizzling rain the attendance of the public was large. It had been intended to fly the company’s Dragon (“Tu.i”) to Napier early yesterday, but the poor visibility, in the driving rain, led to the postponement of this flight until 9.30 a.m. (departing time from Gisborne). The trip south and return was made without mishap, the Tui landing at Darton Field shortly before noon. Aboard the Dragon, -piloted by Squadron-Leader T. W. White, were tho aeting-Prime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, General Sir Andrew Russell and Mr. Barry (Wellington). Shortly after the following visiting planes arrived: Boss Moth, piloted by SquadronLeader Findlay,, of Wigrain, with Mr A. W. Mulligan, tho Minister’s private secretary. East Coast Aero Club’s Moth with the club’s pilot, Flight-Lieutenant Gerrand. Moth, with Mr. H. C. Walker,-who with Squadron-Leader McGregor, flew from England. Moth flown by Mr. M.. Field, with Dir. C. 0. Morse, Mayor of Napier, as passenger. Each plane, on arrival, taxied up to the dead-line in front, of the hangar wherein, on account of slight rain, the opening ceremony was held. Following the ceremony, early in the afternoon, the Tui flow down to Napier, carrying as passengers the acting-Premier, Sir Andrew Russell, the Mayor of Gisborne (Mr. John Jackson), Wing-Commander Grant Dalton and Mr. G. Crawshaw. At. Napier an official, reception was held and the plane left on the return to Gisborne at 4.20 p.m., arriving here after an hour’s flight around the coast. Mr. Ransom and Sir A. Russell did not return to Gisborne, . but the others on hoard for the southern trip did so together with Dir. A. B. Williams. The gathering was presided ever by Wing-Commander S. Grant Dalton, chan-man of directors, who, in open ing, referred to the bad weather con ditions. There was some delay in starting the ceremony he pointed out. but that was not surprising since if was considered inadvisable to send off the plane until 9.30 a.m. The fact, however, that the machine had arrived back here well, beloro noon was an illustration of the utility of the service. The -Speaker then read apologies for unavoidable absence from the Hen. Adam Hamilton, acting-Dlinister of Transport: from the Controller of Civil Aviation ; and from Sir S. Allen, of the Transport Co-ordination Board. Good wishes for the success of tho company were contained in the messages 1 of apology, Dlr. D. W. Coleman Dl.jP.i, the next speaker, stated that it afforded him great pleasure to join with the others in wishing th e company success. The company 'had undertaken the service nob so much as a money-making proposition, but in order to be of Service to Gisborne and district, as they realised the great! isolation which Gisborne had suffered for so many yeans and so. had formed the company to remove something of that isolation. This move, he considered, would he of the ’.greatest service to the district. NO MORE DANGER Many people preferred to stay on tho ground, Mr Coleman pointed out but actually there wa-’s 110 more danger in a plane than in a car. TTo had travelled many times to Napier by air and so coujdi speak from experience. The first time, certainly, he had not been at all anxious but had to get down south in a hum-.. Now ho would sav that if he could afford itp he would never travel otherwise than by plane. The charges made bv the present company, however brought air travel within the reach of most people. He wished to extenjl, on behalf of the community he represented. Jl is sjnccro congratulations to the company and to wish them every succesb: in tho future. That success of course) depended on the company and. bo knew that if the public crave fair support success was assured'. "A RED LETTER DAY” - The Dlayor of G"sborno, Dir John Jackson, stated that be wished to thank the directors for their invitation to speak at tho function. This was a red letter day for Gisborne*., for it put the town on the map by linking it with the other transport facilities in tho Dominion and put

it one. day close:- to. Napier and all other parts of the country. Tin's itself, was a. tremendous thing tor the district. The making of people more air-minded, too, was a .great boon for undoubtedly . air transport was to bo a. great factor in the future. In time to come circ-um,navi-gation of the globe by air would.be a, simple matter and already Wiley Post, for instance, bad made great strides. He agreed with Dir C'olemau there was no 'greater risk in tn e air than .on the land.. Dir Jackson congratulated the company on its enterprise and the people whose support •had made the project possible. Tho fact moreover, that so many people had been tabling short rides was clear evidence of their anxiety to travel by air. On behalf of the com munit.y lie extended to the promoters goodwill wishes for their future success. NAPIER .MAYOR’S GOOD WISHES The Mayor of Napier, Dir C. O. Dtorse, .stated that lie was delighted to join in the good wishes to the company and to congratulate them on their enterprise in bringing into being one of the most effective modes of transport. He know °f % place in N.Z. so isolated as Gisborne and it was not right it should be so. The chance of visiting 'sunny Napier he said,, should be of great advantage to the town and he wished the company every success. 'The acting-Premier, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, stated that it gave him great pleasure to attend ’such a function and be thoroughly realised: the gratification of local residents at the inauguration of the service. It bad been especially brought borne to him since that day lie had had breakfast in Dannevirke strolled round tbc garden, Spent a few hours in Napier and then, .despite bad weather arrived here in. time for; lunclu only a short time behind schedule. No doubt, too, there wa» great gratification among district residents at tho establishment of an air Service which would overcome the isolation that had proved such a great disadvantage to Poverty Bay- in the past. -A. DEFINITE ADVANCE'’' "Jllic air service which is being opened today,” continued Dir Ransom, ‘marks a definite advance in avnition in the Dominion. This route ha.s already bjeen. operated over by the aircraft of the Gisborne Air Transport Gainpauy which did much., pioneer work. That it did not succeed possibly due L a fact that bias . been discovered by civil aviation companies- in other countries namely, that a .small unit i 4 far less economical than a large unit which enables g. greater useful load per horse power to he carried. “fThe afre.raft which the present company has purchased arc thoroughly up to date in all respects and have amply demonstrated their value on numerous air lines in Great Britain. and between that country and tho Continent. It is also- of interest to note that amongst the many private owners of Be Havilandi Dragons we find H.R.H. tho Prince of Wales who uses his machine for his personal and official travelling in Great Britain and on the Continent. This being so I think it must be admitted that the company has provided a

most reliable type of aeroplane for air service. My experience this 'morning is such that I can -heartily congratulate th c people of the district oil the very fine Service 'That i.s being inaugurated. ‘Tiffs is the second company to commence a regular air service under tlie Transport Licensing. (Commercial Aircraft Services) Act, and an indication of 1 the devclopmen which may b c expected is given by the Iffrst three, months operations, of the Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd. which flies from Inchbonnie to Okuru in South Westland. During this period the amount of mail matter has been doubled and more than 700 passengers have been carried 1 . This by the way has boon done in one four passenger machine. , GREAT SAVING IN TIME. ■ "The saving in time which- will rjC effected by the use of the aircralt service, between Gisborne and Napier, is and must stimulate travel and trade between the two centres. “New Zealand hips been compara' tively slow to reap the advantages ot air transport, but there arc now very practical signs that it. docs not propose to delay any longer than necessary. "Internal airlines covering the Dominion are new being started or are under consideration, and the Government- has already conferred with representatives of His D.l a jo-sty’s Governments of Great Britain and Austarlia with a view to the early linking up of the Dominion, with the existing Imperial air route between England! and Australia. It i.s confidently anticipated' that this will, be an accomplished fact by 1937.” The difficulty of communication between Napier and Gisborne- had been brought very prominently to his notice, proceeded Mr Ransom. On arriving at Dannevirke on Saturday and hearing that it was impossible to reach Gisborne by. r.oad he lift’d been uncertain as to whether ho should -retain his car in hopes- of early improvement to the road!, in case air transport should net be possible. As it happened tho road was impossible and hi-s only chance of arriving in time had.been by air. IMPROVEMENT IN -MAILS. After referring to the general -im-prov-conent in air services (mentioned, in another column), Dir Ransom

pointed out that, as far as mail servicesl were concerned. New Zealand had new been brought within a lew days of tile Old Country, a very notable achievement indeed', and a great illustration of the value of tho new mode of transport. lie touched' again on the matter of the district’s isolation and mentioned that he had done his best to overcome it. It had been desired to inaugurate closer settlement in this district, but .efforts in this- direction had been negatived by the drop in prices for primary products. Mr Ransom congratulated the company on initiating the service and stressed that they must look in the future to air transport, not only for ordinary purposes but also for defence measures. The Government was giving its attention, to tlii-s aspect, and so twA's Spending a substantial amount on air services. He was convinced that air transport would play an important part in the Dominion’s future. NOT FLYING VISIT NEXT TIM 10. The acting-Premier expressed regret that, in the past, he had not been abe to visit Gisborne as often as lie bad desired and he hoped that his next visit- would' not- be a Hying one, thus enabling him to got into the backbloeka and sec something of the settlers there. He had a warm 'spot in his heart for back block settlors- and and Intel'-aimed at securing a vote of £loo,ooo’ for their assistance. Actually he bud 'Secured l a vote of £60,000, as compared with only £IO,OOO previously; when ;j. reconstruction of Cabinet- had put an.end to his activities. Since then tho vote- had gradually disappeared'. Dir Ransom concluded by declaring tho service officially open. Wiug-Comi nandcr S. Grant Dalton, then briefly thanked tlic visitor's for attending and' a vote of thanks. to tho chairman was carried on the. motion of Mr Jackson. Three cheers were then given for the success <jd' th© company and the ceremony concluded with, some formation flying by three of the visiting aeroplanes. SERVICE OPENED AT NAPIER. (P ress Association). NAPIER, April 15. Inaugural flights by the ten-seater Dragon De Havilland plane between Napier arid Gisborne marked the

opening of the East Coast Airways regular service to-day. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, aetingPrime Minister, officially opened the airway at Napier, congratulating the people of both Gisborne and Napiei upon their enterprising spirit. After having performed the opening ceremony at Gisborne tlie plane arrived at Napier at 3.20 p.m., carrying the Minister and the official party, after, which addresses were given by Mr. F. N. H. Stewart, president of the Napier Aero Club; Mr. C. 0. Morse, Mayor of Napier; Dir. Ransom; Dir. F. B. Logan, chairman of the Hawke’s Bay County Council; Mr. E. J. Herrick, actingchuirman of the Harbor Board ; and Mr. W. E. Barnard, DIP.-; and YViingCominander Grant Dalton, the company’s representative.