N.Z. AIR SERVICES

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1935, Page 5

N.Z. AIR SERVICES

THE TRUNK. LICENSE Merger of Applicants Proposed (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. March 21. The Transport Co-ordination Board resumed the sittings to-day for consideration of licenses for commercial air services. The most important isssue, that of a license for the national trunk service and other applications were adjourned sine die. The application of Harvie, of Mangere, for an air taxi service, was struck out his his own request. Applicants for the trunk service were the Union Steam Ship Co., on behalf of the Union Airways New Zealand Ltd., the now Amalgamated New Zealand Airlines Ltd., New Plymouth and Dominion Airways Ltd., and Auckland and New Zealand Airways Ltd., Dunedin. Evidence has been submitted by a number of local bodies and the Chambers of Commerce. A letter from the Union Steamsihp Company said that if the license, as at present applied for, was granted, an application would later be made to extend the service to New Plymouth and Auckland in the north, and Invercargill in the south, after actual experience of six or perhaps twelve months. Expert evidence is being taken this afternoon, regarding flying and ground conditions, essentials of service, etc.

LATER. Efforts to arrange a merger of interests between the contending parties for the trunk air service license are now being made, as the result of to-day’s sitting of the Transport Coordination Board.

What Bad Site Means

RONGOTAI NOT SUITABLE. WELLINGTON, March 21. At the sitting of the Transport Coordination Board this afternoon, Squadron-Leader Isitt read reports from the Directors of the Air and Meteorological Services, dealing with the possibility of the regular operation of the route. It would be imp** sible to get into or out of Rongotai. he said, on at least ten per cent, of the days, owing to the defective visibility. He. added that an alternative aerodrome within a radius of thirty or forty miles of Wellington was essential.

The Board will sit again loinorrow.

LONDON. March 20. The “Sun-Herald ” learns that the Air Ministry’s prize aeroplane is expected to require at least 200 miles per hour cruising speed, to he a twelve to fourteen-sea ter, strictlv economical on fuel consumption, able to carry a large pay-load, and to have 'Comfort and reliability.