Clipper Arrives at Auckland

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 279, 25 November 1939, Page 7

Clipper Arrives at Auckland

Musick Radio Station Used for First Time JUST A NORMAL FLIGHT Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 24. Running precisely to her revised schedule, tho Paa- American Airways Honolulu clipper touched down ou Waitemata Harbour at 12.40 o’clock this afternoon, completing the second southward survey flight over the new South Pacific air route to Auckland. A minimum of fuss and formality attended the arrival of the big Boeing, and less than half an hour after her keel had brushed water members of the crew were at luncheon ashore. Perhaps more spectacular than the arrival of the flying-boat was the hurried dash from Hobsonville Air Base mado by the Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, in one of Tasman Empire Airways speedy little launches. The Minister rushed from Hobsonville to Mechanics Bay, reaching the landing stage while the clipper was circling above losing height prior to landing. In addition to Mr. Jones, among those present to see the clipper arrive and to welcome her commander and crew was tho Minister of Public Works, Hou. R. Semple. Watched by a crowd including many motorists that had assembled near the foreshore and on convenient heights in the vicinity, tho clipper came in from the north-west at a fair height and circled Auckland twice before straightening out for her landing run. Mooring occupied a minimum of time and, while the luggage was going through the Customs, the commander, Captain Cluthe, showed tho two Ministers and their parties over the ship. Two of the Pan-American Airways captains are aboard the clipper. Captain Cluthe, who is in command, has with him Captain McGlohu, who will bring the next Boeing over the route. This system is adopted to familiarise all senior officers likely to be on the Auckland run with the conditions on the usual course followed and with landing areas. Both tho senior officers agreed that the trip had been entirely uneventful. “The only incident was an adverse weather report from Auckland on Thursday, which held us back a day at Noumea,” Captain Cluthe said. “Otherwise the flight was normal in every respect. We saw no shipping, although we were in communication with a Matsou liner at one stage.” The Musick memorial radio station at Musick Point, East Tamaki, was used by Pan-Ameri-can Airways for the first time during the clipper’s flight. Captain Cluthe said the station was picked up while the machine was till a Jong way north of Norfolk Island, near which the machine later passed, and he said the service provided appeared to be all that could be desired. Particular interest was taken in the station in view of its dedication in memory of a pioneer PanAmerican Airways officer, the late Captain Edwin Musick. READY TO START SERVICE OFFICIAL SANCTION AWAITED AUCKLAND, Nov. 24. Pan-American Airways is ready to inaugurate its South Pacific service to Auckland as soon as formal sanction is received from the United States civil aeronautics authority. This was revealed by Mr. Harold Gatty, representative of the company in New Zealand, on his return by the clipper. Mr. Gatty said the company would begin schedule running as soon as the necessary permit had been granted. Two of the three calling places on the run to Auckland, Honolulu and Noumea, were ready, and a hotel being built at Canton Island was rapidly taking shape. “The Boeing is particularly steady in tho air,” he added, when describing the trip. “There is much more comfort for travellers than on earlier types.” A letter of greetings from the Governor of New Caledonia to the Governor-General of New Zealand was entrusted to Mr. Gatty at Noumea. No ordinary mail was carried by the clipper, however, nor was there any freight apart from the belongings of the passengers and crew.