AIRWAY ROUTE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 196, 18 July 1935, Page 2

AIRWAY ROUTE

OMISSION OF PALMERSTON NORTH. EXPLANATION OF POSITION. WELLINGTON, July 18. A reply to the protest voiced by. tlie Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) against the deletion of Palmerston North, Wellington or Blenheim from the Great Pacific Airways route license is contained in a letter forwarded yesterday to Mr Hiulop by tlie Commissioner of Transport (Mr G. O’. Godfrey). It is- stated by Mr Godfrey that, in the opinion of the Transport Co-ordination Board, the Wellington City Council was given a full opportunity of giving evidence at the hearing in March. “It is recalled,” states Mr Godfrey’s letter, inter alia, “that in February the board held a public sitting in Wellington, the meeting being widely advertised . . . and that neither tlie Wellington City Council nor public bodies in general availed themselves of tlie opportunity to state their views. Following upon the February meeting the board issued a statement in tlie course of which it was stated that ‘at this stage we do not feel justified at arriving at a final decision as there are many aspects which have been raised during the hearing which require further examination.’ The applications were adjourned until March, when representations were made by local bodies, including the Wellington City Council. “I should add that the chairman and members of the board are not- in Wellington at present, and 1 am not in a position to traverse all tho points raised in Your Worship’s statements in the Press. I understand, however, that the board felt that two public sittings having already been held to consider tlie applications in question, a third public sitting was not called for in order to settle tlie matter (specifically left open at tho March sittings) of including Palmerston North in the route of Great Pacific Airways. It is understood, also, that the board relied upon tho evidence given previously, but that at the same timo it was felt duo to the companies concerned to give them an opportunity of making submissions.

“On inquiry I find that no recent representations were made to the board by the Palmerston North City Council concerning the inclusion of that city in the route of Great Pacific Airways, although it is learned that the matter was considered by the council last week. Tlie position now is, therefore, that the companies concerned are authorised (within the terms of the board’s decision of April 11) to conduct daily services both ways as under: “Great Pacific Airways.—AucklandNew Ply niou t h-W anga n u i-Well ili gton-Blenheim-Christchiircli - Timaru - Dunedin. “Union Airways. Palmerston North-Blcnheim-Christohurch-Dunedin. “Tlie route prescribed for Cook Strait Airways is Wellington-Blen-heim-Nelson. I trust that this communication will assist to clarify the position.” BOARD’S DECISION. Mr Godfrey has also forwarded to Mr Hislop the full text of tlie board’s decision, which contains the following statement: “We have contented ourselves accordingly with asking tho companies concerned to provide written arguments as to tho possible call at Palmerston North of Great Pacific Airways ; and after considering these we have * decided to omit Palmerston North from the route to be followed by that company. We give the iollowing reasons: (1) The main object of the service is to connect the four main centres with as rapid a transit as possible. As few stops as possible —consistent with general convenience —should bo made on the journey. _ . (2) Palmerston North is less than 50 miles from Wanganui, at which place the service is to call. • (3) By omitting Palmerston North the service is more direct, and the route follows the sea coast throughout its length, which is a great advantage, in had weather. (4) Palmerston North will be well served as regards connections with the South Island by Union Airways, which will give a direct service, and it already has excellent and fast connections with Auckland bv rail and with Wellington by rail and road. “If, as the result of experience, a call at Palmerston North seems desirable after the service has commenced, it will be open to Great Pacific Airways to apply for an amendment of its route.” . Mr Godfrey proceeds to deal with the position of Wellington.