FLYING SERVICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22714, 28 April 1937, Page 15

FLYING SERVICES

AIRCRAFT IN HARBOUR

THE BOARD'S POSITION

CONTROL OF OPERATIONS

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The view that it was necessary for the operations of aircraft in New Zealand harbours to be under the jurisdiction and control of the particular liarhour boards whose waters arc to bo used for landing and taking off by seapianos and flying-boats, was expressed by the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Hoard, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, when making a report to a meeting of the board yesterday on the future development of the harbour as an airport. Air. Macindoe said that the first survey of Pan-American Airways from San Francisco to Auckland having been successfully accomplished, it was desirable that members should be fully acquainted with the position regarding the development of overseas air services to this port as it stood to date. However, the flight just completed was a survey flight only and, while it was believed and hoped to foreshadow the establishment of a regular service, at present it was impossible to regard this as certain. No Indication of Requirements " At no time, either during preliminary negotiations or since the survey flight was undertaken, has any official communication been received from PanAmerican Airways, and 110 indication has been given as to the extent or nature of the facilities which will be required, should a regular service be inaugurated," said the chairman. " It is clearly necessary, and the Harbours Amendment Act, 1933, provides the appropriate machinery, for the operations of aircraft in New Zealand harbours to be under' the jurisdiction and control of the particular harbour boards whose waters are to be utilised for landing and taking off of seaplanes and flyingboats, and whose foreshores would be used for the establishment of landing places, slipways and workshops." Auckland inevitably would be selected as the terminal for such services as were established to New Zealand, continued Mr. Macindoe, and a vital responsibility rested on the board to see that the facilities provided were adequate, well-situated, efficient and economical. Board's Future Responsibility Although the board had not been officially approached or been given any indication of what was desired in the way of accommodation, considerable thought had been given by the chairman and the board's officers. to the probable nature of the requirements for this branch of the port's activities. Members would recall having visited the site and having inspected and discussed plans for a suggested development to the east of St. Heliers Bay. It was hoped that, during their stay in Auckland, officers of Pan-American Airways might have been able to assist in the furtherance of these plans, but it was made clear that they were not prepared to discuss the matter of their -company's requirements or the suitability of the board's proposals. Mr. M acindoe said finally that 110 would again remind members of the board's responsibility to ensure development on lines which would preserve equal rights and privileges to all comers in the future. For the survey flight, the board's staff and equipment had been placed unreservedly at the disposal of the company's officials, and only actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred had been charged to the company.