Inspection by Air

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 286, 2 December 1938, Page 6

Inspection by Air

MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, Last Night. Advantages of the use of an aeroplane in carrying out inspections of Daekbloek hill country were demonstrated this morning when the Marlborough Aero Cluo’s Waco cabin machine was chartered by Marlborough No. 2 Adjustment Commission for tne purpose of examining several properties in the Sounds district. in the ordinary course visits to the areas concerned by launch and on foot would have occupied at least two days, but by air over 200 miles were covered in 1 hour 45 minutes, and a more comprehensive investigation was possible. The members of the commission, Messrs. G. M. Spence, A. R. Graham, and E. Reid, piloted by Mr. E. F. Holdaway, took off from Blenheim arid flew over Queen Charlotte, Pelorus, and Kenepuru Sounds, circling the properties several times at a low altitude. From the air they found it possible to gain a very much better idea of the class of country in the properties involved than would have been possible by clambering over them on foot. The distinction between the different classes of land was very marked. One thing that unfavourably impressed the commission was evidence of extensive erosion in some parts of the sounds.