PACIFIC AIR LINK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23807, 13 May 1939, Page 11

PACIFIC AIR LINK

ESTABLISHING NEW BASES INCREASE IN STAFF ACTIVITY PARTY BOUND FOR NOUMEA (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, May 12. "The first thing I noticed was the wonderful progress made with the building up of the eastern breakwater, which will be a boon when the Boeings are using the air base," said Mr A. L. Lewis, formerly Pan-American Airways airport manager at Auckland, who was r through passenger for Sydney by the Mariposa to-day. Mr Lewis hopes to return to Auckland later this year to become airport manager when the South Pacific air service is resumed. The Base at Noumea On his way to Noumea, New Caledonia, which will be one of the calling places for the Boeing Clippers on the South Pacific route. Mr Lewis was accompanied by four other members of the company's staff who will undertake the installation of a flying boat base. They are Messrs J J Cushman and G D Atherton, radio construction engineers. P C Fisher, airport engineer, and H. E. Jubinville, chief mechanic. Also on his way to Noumea on board the Mariposa is Mr S. M Filipovich. a member of the company s staff from French Guiana who will conclude negotiations with the Government of New Caledonia, Two Pan-American officers who had been expected to arrive by the Mariposa. Messrs E B Buxton meteorologist and D F O'Brien who has been appointed chief radio operator at Auckland, were not on board. It was explained that they had not been able to make the necessary connections to catch the Mariposa, but Mr Buxton will probably arrive by the Aorangi on May 29. The New Boeings Aucklanders have a surprise in store when the Boeing flying boat South Seas Clipper makes her first visit, according to Mr Lewis He said that he had not flown in one of these machines, but he had inspected them in detail and was greatly impressed by their size, performance and equipment. " To stand aft in the bridal suite and look forward through the various compartments it like looking along a sixcar train," Mr Lewis said. " The Martin flying boats on the China run are much bigger than the Samoan Clipper which came o Auckland, but they are mere babies alongside the Boeing. The new ships are immense and are most beautifully fitted." Base at Canton Island Although none of the party could say when the South Pacific service would be resumed, the visitors -said that there was general activity along the route. The steamer North Haven had gone to Canton Island with a trround crew and equipment to put in an air base there, the engineer in charge being Mr Frank McKenzie. who did similar work in A.uckl3ncl On arrival the party was met by Mr H Gatty, representative of Fan-Ameri-can Airways in New 'ealand. They spent the morning at the company s base in Mechanics Bay, and later saw something of Auckland and its surroundings before leaving by the Mariposa for Sydney, where they will join another ship for Noumea.