Will Tasman Service Begin Soon?

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1939, Page 2

Will Tasman Service Begin Soon?

Though no date has yet been fixed

for the beginning of the Tasman air

mail and passenger service, and though

latest reports from Australia stale only that it “may begin before the end of the year.” indications in Auckland arc that 'planes will bo arriving here at a much earlier date. Work is being pushed ahead rapidly at the temporary airport at Mechanics' Bay, and advice has been given to the workmen that the administration building and workshops must be completed by April 14.

Another indication of note is the arrival in Auckland of Mr L. E. Turnill, of Imperial Airways’ ground engineering staff. Mr Turnill, an Englishman by birth who lived a number of years in Australia, installed the airways station at Bermuda and acted as ground engineer there for the Ber-muda-New York service for two years. He returned to England in December last, and was immediately sent out to New Zealand to superintend the installation of the station at Auckland. He arrived im Wellington by the Arawa, and reached Auckland on Thursday last.

Mr Turnill stated yesterday morning that he had no information regarding the starting of the service, but added that he would be Auckland for a period of from six to twelve months. He will probably. act as ground engineer here for a period after the beginning of the service.