TRANSPORT BY AIR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3888, 18 September 1928, Page 36

TRANSPORT BY AIR.

A NORTH ISLAND VENTURE. AUCKLAND, September 10. If the plans of two New Zealanders mature the travellers, both New Zealanders and tourists, will soon be able to cover much of the North Island by air route, says the Sun, and this important venture has got far past the stage of discussion, and one of the originators is going abroad to make inquiries for suitable machines. The originators are Messrs Nicholson (Wellington) and Catanach (Rotorua), both of ■whom are well known as tourist and passenger transport agents. Mr Nicholson is to arrange for the purchase of machines and Mr Catanach will qualify as a pilot. The machines will be either hydroplanes or some other amphibian type, thus eliminating any difficulty over landing places. The Auckland harbour provides an excellent hopping off place, and in easy stages there are the AVaikato River, Lake Arapuni, Rotorua Lake, Lake Taupo, Lake Waikaremoana, Gisborne, Napier, Wanganui and Wellington, all with entirely suitable stretches of water. According to reports the South Island is not on the immediate programme. It is proposed to use four-seaters for the services. Australia has had air “taxis” for some time, and they are hired at 2s a mile. Frequently this is less expensive than a road trip owing to the shorter route. Rotorua is 120 miles from Auckland by air route and 143 by road. Gisborne is about 215 miles by air and nearly 380 by the most direct road route.