BEACON LIGHTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17238, 19 April 1930, Page 14

BEACON LIGHTS

"t'he most striking thing about the last seven years in Australia is the enormous development of air services," said a New Zealand visitor, who has just retained from Australia. "Under Government encouragement the Australian airways have developed at a rate unparalleled' in expansion by any service in the Commonwealth.

"in 1922 there were 30CO flights made in Australia, the planes covered 125,000 miles and carried 2300 passengers and two tons of freight, Last year these figures had increased enormously. In 192 y there were 130,000 tfighis, the plarfe's travelling 3,250,000 miles and tarrying 93,000 passengers and 1100 tons of freight. There are now 7000 air lines in tlie Commonwealth, and more are still being laid down. Mail contracts and Government sympathy have helped development. "The figures which T have quoted,- of course, are those of commercial aviation. "Next month, there will be inaugurated a. night service between Sydney and Melbourne. Beacon lights are being placed every 50 miles, and the planes will leave at 10 p.m., and arrive in time for business to be done first thing next morning. The fare, of £9, is about twice the railway fare, and includes transportation by motor, to and from the airdromes. The present railway journey takes 17 hours. '.,;.,' j

PLYING IN AUSTRALIA