TASMAN AIR LINK

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1940, Page 6

TASMAN AIR LINK

OPENING TO-DAY

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

WELLINGTON, April 29

The flying boat, Aoteroa, which will inaugurate the Tasman Air Service with a flight from Auckland to Sydney to-morrow, will carry about six hundred pounds of mail. It is expected that the Aoteroa under the command of Captain J. W; Burgess, will leave Auckland at 6 a.m. Given reasonably good conditions, she should reach Sydney not later than 4 p.m. (New Zealand time). The Postmaster-General, Hon. F. Jones, left Wellington by air for Auckland to-day and will farewell the Aoteroa. Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner for Britain in New Zealand, will also attend.

AUCKLAND, April 29.

Bringing to a successful conclusion inter-Governmental negotiations that began in 1934, the Tasman Empire Airways flying boat, Aotearoa, will leave Auckland • for Sydney at 6 o’clock to-morrow morning on the first regular trans-Tasman commercial flight. Its command will be Captain Burgess, who will be accompanied by a crew of six aiid nine passengers.

After a short ceremony at the Mechanics’ Bay Air Base, at which the Minister -of Aviation, Hem. F. Jones, will cut a ribbon hung across the gangway, the flying-boat will take to the air on the 1,300 mile journey to Sydney. Flying at a probable height of 5,000 feet, the trip will take in the vicinity of eight and three-quarter hours, according to the estimate by Captain Burgess to-night.

Approximately 41,000 letters, weighing fioOlbs., will be carried by the, Aotearoa for Australia, there will be 20,000 for the East, including Egypt thee will be 5,000 and for the United Kingdom there will be in the vicinity iff 16,000. The mail includes 1,258 registered articles.

The passengers include Captain E ! . C. Johnston, of Melbourne, Assist-ant-Director of Civil Aviation in Australia; Mr A. E. Rudder, representative for Australia and New Zealand of the British Overseas Airways Corporation and .Deputy-Chair-man of Qantas Empire Airways ; Mr W. Hudson Fysh, Managing-Director of QantuS Empire Airways; and Mr C. G. White, of Wellington, Director of. the Union Steam Ship Company. Messrs Rudder, Fysh and White are all Directors of Tasman Empire Airways. The other passengers will be Messrs Harvey Turner, T. C. Webster, H. O. Browne, Miss Joan Hewitt, and Miss P. Dromgool, all of Auckland. The Aotearoa is expected to return to Auckland on Thursday.

DINNER IN HONOUR

AUCKLAND, April 29

The importance of aviation in bring-, ing countries closer together, not only in travelling time but also in friendship and genera] outlook, was emphasised by speakers at a dinner in the Grand Hotel to-night, given by the Government in honour of the inauguration of the Tasman air service. The Minister in charge of Aviation (the Hon. F. .Jones) presided, find those present included members of the; Legislature, Sir Harry Batterbee, High ,Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, Captain Johnston, of Melbourne, Assistant-Director-General of Civil Aviation in Australia, Captains J. W. Burgess and 0. Garden, of the Aotearoa and Awarua respectively, and representatives of Tasman Empire Airways, and associated companies.

Appreciation of the assistance given by all who had been connected with the negotiations for the Tasman service siriVe it was first mooted in 1934, was expressed by Mr Jones in proposing the toast of the new service. He admitted that the negotiations had extended over a long period; but he pointed out that many unforeseen circumstances had arisen to delay their successful conclusion. M? Jones paid a special tribute to the efforts of the Prime Minister (Hon. P. Parser), whose persistency bad resulted in a second flying boat, the Awarua, being made available for the service. Much assistance had also been received from representatives of the United Kingdom and Australia.

“It is fitting that this seryice should begin in our centennial year,” said Mr Jones. He drew a contrast between the days of sailing ships and modern aviation, pointing out that the Dominion’s isolation was almost vanishing. With the continued increase in speed, the country’s isolation would soon become a. memory of the past. “T feel sure that this most modern method of travel will bring about closer co-operation between Australia and New Zea-lau' in all matters of importance. but particmlnhly in defence.” the Minister said. “That also applies to the peoples of other parts of the Empire.” The aim of Tasman Empire Airways to provide the public with the best possible service was emphasised by Colonel N. S. Falla, in replying to the toast.

Sir .Harry Batterbee, in reply, said that as one who had been connected with the inauguration of the transAtlantic service, he knew the value of an enterprise of this nature. Such a service depended for its success on the goodwill of all eoricerned. and he was sure the Tasman service would achieve that success.

Captain Johnston spoke on behalf of ;he Australian Government.

aotearoa leaves, AUCKLAND, April 30. Rising from tile Waiteihata before sunrise, the flying-boat Aotearoa today inaugurated the regujafr traiis,Tasman commercial service, New Zealand’s final ai r link with Britain. Shortly before six a.m. the Minister of Aviation (Hon. F. Jones) cut the ribbon across the gangway and at 6.9, with a final wave from Captain Burgess, the Aotearoa was off. It circled the City beneath a clear sky and swept westward for Sydney. She is expected hack on Thursday. Before her departure brief speeches were made By Hon. F. Jones, Sir Batterbee, Captain Johnston (assistant Director of Aviation for Australia) and Colonel Falla (Chairman of Directors of Tasman Empire Airways). The Aotearoa carries a crew of six and nine passengers.

SCENE AT START

AUCKLAND, April 30. Speaking before the flying-boat’s departure, Hon. F. Jones mentioned the facts which had militated against the earlier establishment of the service to which the people of New Zealand and Australia had been for a long time looking forward. “If. is a wonderful tribute to the resources and energy of the British peoples,” said the Minister, “that during a period when the utmost efforts were being demanded for the fulfilment of our tremendous requirements lor the armed forces, we can embark on a scheme involving 1200 miles extension to the longest air route in the world.”

He wished the captains, who in the future would he in charge of the flyingboats. pleasant take-offs and happy landings. Despite the early hour a number of people gathered at the Tasman Airways base and on the surrounding vantage points. It was still dark when the brief ceremony was commenced. As the ship lifted in the first- light of a perfect flying day. the silver of her hull merged with the grey of the morning and only her tiny white tail light could be seen. The liappr passengers are expected to be in Sydney for afternoon tea.