AERIAL MAILS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18286, 23 December 1919, Page 6

AERIAL MAILS.

ETJRTHEB. EXPERIMENTS. OHRISTGHUROH TO DUNEDIN. fFEOM Ouß COBBEBPONDENT.J WELLINGTON, December 22. In view of the marked success of the recent trial trip of an aerial mail service from Auckland to Dargaville and back further experiments in connection with aerial mails in other districts are to be made. The Hon J. G. Coates, Postmaster-General, stated ths afternoon that in January next experimental services are to be started between Auckland and Dargaville and Whangarei, Auckland and Coromandel and Thames, Napier and Gisborne, and Christohurch and Dunedin. The Minister regarded the trip from Auckland to Dargaville and back . as entirely satisfactory, the trial being accomplished to timetable and without any accident. During the war period the Post* master-General had to do with aeroplane work both in France and Britain, and takes a great interest in th« possibilities of development of postal," commercial and passenger air services in this country. In his opinion New Zealand affords great opportunities for the establishment of aenal mail and passenger lines but the best types of machines for suoh services and the best localities and equipment for the purpose must first be decided oy careful experiment. GENERAL AVIATION SCHEME, INVESTIGATION BY SPECIAL COMMITTEE. [Per Press Asajdation.] WELLINGTON, December 22. The Minister of Defence, questioned to-day regarding the aviation scheme, mentioned by him while in the South. Island, said he could not at present give particulars of these proposals. They were now under consideration by a special committee, including Commander Williams, which was discussing naval, military and aerial defence, with A view of co-ordinating all branohes. tie had received a draft report from tEe committee, but could not say when the final report would be available fol submission to himself and to Cabinet. Askeu if this would cover ■civil aviation, ttir James Allen said that the milii tary organisation will not include civil flying, though it would encourage development. Colonel Bettington's report and recommendations concerning aerial defence would be dealt with in tbia report