SMITHY’S PLANS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1933, Page 5

SMITHY’S PLANS

N.Z. Am SERVICES

NETWORK SYSTEM OUTLINED.

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON November 30.

Plans for air services covering . almost the whole of Now Zealand to be operated without Government subsidy and also for the formation of a Dominion airways company, were announced by Mr Wilford Kingsford Smith, who came to • ’Wellington today, to confer with Governmental and other authorities in connection with the promotion of the company. His brother, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, is sponsoring the effort.

“There will he a main service from Auckland to New Plymouth, Wellington and Christchurch; and probably as far as Dunedin,” said Mr Kingsford Smith said, “and there will be feeder services from Gisborne and Napier clown to Wellington, and from the West Coast of the South Island to Christchurch. Another feeder service contemplated is one through Taranaki and South Taranaki to New Plymouth.” Mr Kingsford Smith said that Sir Charles intended to purchase a substantial! quantity of shares for himself, and’ was prepared to act as a member, of the board of directors in an advisory capacity. Services would he inaugurated as soon as the necessary capital, of which a fair amount has been already promised, is available.

Mr Kingsford Smith safcl that it was intended to fly clown one day and hack the next, and, when.the demand warranted it, to make it a daily service in both directions. The Company’s fleet would consist of three Wackett-Codocks and two feeder machines capable of carrying three passengers each. It was intended to engage New Zealand pilots for the service, and, as far as possible the ground engineering staff wouild be chosen from New Zealanders.