TRANSTASMAN PROJECT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21875, 10 August 1934, Page 11

TRANSTASMAN PROJECT

VOYAGE IN 35-FOOT CRAFT

NEW ZEALANDER'S PROPOSAL Details of a project by a New Zealander at present living in Sydney, to cross the Tasman Sea in a 35ft. sailing vessel with two Australian companions were mentioned at. a meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council on Monday evening. In a circular letter to the council, Mr. A. E. Vaile set forth the objects of his adventurous undertaking as primarily those of fostering community of interest and better understanding between the Commonwealth and the Dominion. Claiming already to have obtained financial backing fox* the undertaking and the promise of wide publicity from the Sydney press, Mr, Vaile sought the approval of the Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr. E. It. C. Gilmour, who recently cabled agreement with the objects of the venture and wished the expedition luck. Mr. Vaile also stated that he proposed to distribute booklets descriptive of the "goodwill cruise" in New Zealand, containing reciprocal advertising. Proceeds from their sale would be dedicated entirely to charity. In the tour of the Dominion proposed New Plymouth would be a calling place. For companions Mr. Vaile said he would have an Australian who recently made a voyage in a small sailing vessel from Vancouver to Sydney and another experienced yachtsman. He added that he himself was undergoing a course of rigid training in yachtsmanship and navigation in a small craft "outside Sydney Heads."