Defence Minister's Flying Trip

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

Defence Minister's Flying Trip

Inspection by Aotearoa DEFENCE AERODROMES Ter Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 24. Three means of transport were used to-day by the Minister of Defence, lion. F. Jones, to make an inspection of the Tasman Empire Airways base at Mechanics Bay, Hobsonville air base and the new aerodrome and buildings being constructed at Whenuapai. Mr. Jones flew over Hobsonville and Wheuuapai in the flying-boat Aotearoa, made a more detailed examination of each by motor-car and on foot and later returned to the city by a last launch, completing the three inspections in the morning. The flight was not long enough for the Minister. Hobsonville was reached in a lew minutes, Whenuapai came across to the aircraft in seconds and the landing on the upper harbour near Hobsonville jetty was made so quickly that it was hard to appreciate the distance which had been covered. Like tho other passengers, Mr. Jones exclaimed at the ease of alighting, made so smooththat only the sudden uplift of flying water showed she had come down, no jar accompanying the movement. Mr. Jones also expressed pleasure at Che aerial view he had obtained of the progress of the work at both Hobsonville and Whenuapai. The layout could not have been viewed in better circumstances. Mr. Jones expressed the Government’s satisfaction at the way liobsonville was fulfillpg its specialised task of assembling and repairing machines. The Air, Board, he said, was well pleased with the way aircraft were being assembled and he asked Wing-Com-mander Burrell to convey the Government’s thanks to the officers and men. “Hobsonville is doing a very good job,” he said. A brief reference to New Zealand’s air mission to Canada and the possible effect the Empire training scheme might have on the steps in the Dominion was made by the Minister during his visit of inspection to Whenuapai Aerodrome. ” When we receive the recommendations from Canada,” said Mr. Jones, *‘we may have to make alterations even at Whenuapai and Hobsonville. We may find that modifications to our scheme are necessary or that the fields and buildings may have to be extended. “The decision to hold the conference in Canada was only reached a short while ago after New Zealand had already taken important steps and, naturally, we will await with considerable interest the views that come from the mission’s investigations.”