OVERSEAS TERMINAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26906, 19 October 1948, Page 6

OVERSEAS TERMINAL

Auckland Must be Pacific Airport \" > f —■ SIR FREDERICK TYMMS’S VIEW i ; *%. ; __________ P.A. , WELLINGTON, Oct. 18. “Rongotai can be developed as an internal aerodrome and when that is done there will be no need for Paraparaumu except as an Alternative,” said the leader of the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Commission, Sir Frederick Tymms, speaking to-night in the Concert 'Chamber of the Town Hall when the commission met representatives of the City Council, the Harbour Board, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, and other bodies to discuss the problem of providing air transport to and from Wellington. Sir Frederick had quoted requirements for aerodromes to serve international needs and had stated that it was obvious that Rongotai could never be made to comply with them.

*; While the capital city might logically jexpect to be the terminal of overseas services, Wellington had certain difficulties it was not within the power of fnan to overcome. It could only be served by flying boat, said Sir Frederick. It did not follow that a flying boat service would be economic. There was ample water, but there was the probability of strong or squally Svinas. There was the possibility of low cloud as had occurred that morning. The big flying boats of to-day, §uch. as the Solent or Sandringham, were not so much affected by rough Water as the flying boats of the past. Such a service was a matter which was receiving attention. Even if it Were provided, it was only likely as a special service for Wellington conations since the use of land planes for international services seemed to be fhe accepted practice. * Sir Frederick said the suggestion that the terminals of international services should be airports as near to the geographical 'centres of the two islands was at fault. Terminals must be at centres of population. Population „ gould not be ignored. Auckland must remain the population and geographical position for the terminal airport of Pacific air services. Christchurch had conditions second to none in New Zealand tc' an overseas airport. In the matter of internal services, .however, Wellington had its special problems. |Jp lower standard of safety for passengers should be considered but aircraft mcst suitable for its conditions inust be selected and a lower standard of regularity of service might have to be accepted. >. Replying to a question, Sir Frederick said the fact that when services styere flown from Rongotai a high percentage of regularity had been maintained without accident could be put The factor of safety for the passengers might not have been so ijreat as was desirable. He must endorse the decision which had belli taken to close Rongotai. No aeroJqrome there would be safe without a pun way from the sea to the sea. The (Services f roin Auckland to Wellington might be maintained by large flySpg boats. Small flying boats, in squally conditions, would bring risks which would not be justifiable. Large flying boats could operate quite safely after tests had been made, he thought, tut whether they would be justifiable would depend on an economic survey. Such a service could connect “only the two points, since neither Christchurch nor Dunedin had the Sira ter to take large craft so that a 6 "landplane service would still remain cessary. Two services would then in direct competition, but it was a matter which was being investigated by the National Airways Corporation. Ohakea was the best situated aerodrome in New Zealand, said Sir Frederick when asked how it would serve as an overseas termlhaL “But the air force wants it,” he said. “ For that reason, it must always be an im- . portant factor. “ You must have an alternative landing place to your main airport, which it is inevitable at times must-be unusable,” he said. “ Ohakea is' the main alternative but no one would think of an overseas terminal at Ohakea if it is possible to land planes at Auckland or Wellington. It does not appear possible to do it at Wellington.” It might be said that a site for an overseas terminal might be found in the Otaki area, but that was a matter for investigation.