ESTABLISHMENT OF BASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26792, 8 June 1948, Page 4

ESTABLISHMENT OF BASE

PLANS NOT YET DISCUSSED P.A. WELLINGTON, June 7. Plans for the inauguration of the Wellington-Sydney air service were being given detailed consideration, said Sir Leonard Isitt, chairman of the National Airways Corporation Board in a telephone interview from Auckland He was commenting on the

Auckland message stating that Tasman Empire Airways planned to initiate a Wellington-Sydney service as soon as the new Solent flying boats (now on order) were delivered. Sir Leonard could not say when the base at Evans Bay was likely to be completed. Plans had not yet been discussed with the Government, and consequently he had to be vague about the establishment of the base. Even after the proposal had been given the approval hoped for, some considerable time would elapse before the necessary materials and staff could be assembled and moulded into running order. “We have been trying for several years to get Evans Bay included-as a pprt of call for the overseas airways service, but we have not pressed for the establishment of a full base there,” said Mr W. H. Price, chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, in expressing the board’s delight at the announcement of the proposed new service. He added that such a base would necessitate a staff of about 80 in addition to thousands of pounds’ worth of spare parts and substantial repair depots and other buildings. There did not seem to be any deterrent towards making Evans Bay a regular port of call. Planes had been landing there in all weathers for years. “We are not being parochial in agitating for the establishment of this service,” continued Mr Price. ‘Wellington is more central, and would provide improved travelling facilities for South Islanders, who were considerably inconvenienced in having to travel to and from Auckland when passengers on the transtasman service.”