PACIFIC AIRWAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 256, 26 September 1935, Page 2

PACIFIC AIRWAY

AUCKLAND AS TERMINUS. REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 25. Negotiations were commenced some weeks ago by Mr Harold Gatty, on behalf of the Pan-American Airways Corporation, with the New Zealand Government for the right to use the Auckland harbour as the southern terminus of the trans-Pacific service on the 6500mile route from San Francisco Honolulu, Kingman Reef and Pago Pago to Auckland"by flying boat. This would be tho southern extension of the conipany’s North Pacific 9000-mile service to the Phillippines. The company askcd for no financial assistance, out for the right to operate for ten . years. It was proposed to-use - Martin or Sikorsky clipper ships and; the service would bring San Francisco within three days .of Auckland. , The company made no proposals as to tire Tasman Sea. No decision has been yet made by the Government, which is in consulation with the British and American Governments.

Mr Gatty left by the Monterey, on Saturday, but has appointed an., attorney to carry on the negotiations. The opinion that the manufacturers of New Zealand would enthusiastically support the proposed trans-Pacific air service was expressed by Mr J. A. C. Allum, president of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association. The speeding up of mails would mean a tremendous saving of time and firms would be able to carry smaller stocks. The Chamber of Commerce held a meeting this morning and subsequently issued a statement that “unless there are political or military reasons for withholding approval, we urge that immediate consent be given, otherwise there is grave danger of missing an opportunity of bringing New Zealand closer to the Northern Hemisphere.”

TERMINAL DECIDED. DEFINITELY AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Sept. 25. It was reported from Wellington today that Mr Harold Gatty favoured Wellington as the terminal for the proposed Pacific air service on account of the depth of water close in to land and the large area of sheltered water available. It can he stated definitely that Auckland will be the New Zealand terminal.

Should it he necessary at any time to make landings elsewhere because of unsuitable weather conditions on the Waitemata, the machines will go to the Bav of Islands.