SERVICE TO STEWART ISLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27571, 13 December 1950, Page 6

SERVICE TO STEWART ISLAND

In February last a licence to operate an amphibian air service between Invercargill and Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island, as well as to the West Coast Sounds, the Southern Lakes, the glaciers {and other scenic areas, was granted to Amphibian Airways (Southland) by the Air Department It was hoped that a service three days a week would be maintained between Invercargill and Stewart Island, the trip occupying 20 minutes and costing about 35s for a return fare. At present the only communication involves an 18-mile rail journey to Bluff and a two-hour ferry service across the St ln*July, it was stated that £12,000 'finance was required to buy a Grumman aircraft and that steps were being taken to raise this sum. A sub-com-mittee was set up. It included Captain A. J. Bradshaw, who hoped to establish a privately-operated air service between Invercargill and Dunedin, but the plans in this direction did not come to fruition. He therefore directed his energies towards the establishment of Amphibian Airways (Southland). It was he who recommended the purchase of a Grumman aircraft, the scope of which, he stated at a public meeting, was unlimited.