INSPECTION BY AIR.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 December 1938, Page 3

INSPECTION BY AIR.

MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS (By Telegraph—Press Association). BLENHEIM, Last Night. Advantages of the use of an aeroplane in carrying out inspections of backblock hill country were demonstrated this morning when the Marl-' borough Aero Club's Waco cabin machine was chartered by Marlborough No. 2 Adjustment Commission for the purpose of examining several properties in the Sounds district. In the ordinary course visits to the areas concerned by launch and on foot would have occupied at least two days, but by air over 200 miles were covered in 1 hour 45 minutes, and a more comprehensive investigation was possible.

The members of the commission, Messrs. G. M. Spenee, A. E. Graham, and E. Eeid, piloted by Mr. E. F. Holdaway, took off from Blenheim and flew over Queen Charlotte, Pelorus, and ICenepuru Sounds, circling the properties several times at a low altitude. From the air they found it possible to gain a veiy much better idea of the class of country in the properties involved than would have been possible by clambering over them on foot. The distinction between the different classes of land was very marked. One thing that unfavourably impressed the commission was evidence of extensive erosion in some parts of the sounds.