AIR SERVICES

Southland Times, Issue 25312, 15 June 1935, Page 11

AIR SERVICES

ISSUE OF LICENSES EVIDENCE HEARD ■„ : s . ■■ '-rj> ‘.,y 1 (Per United Press Association-) Wellington, June 13. The Transport Co-ordination Board is hearing applications by New Zealand Airways Ltd. for services between Whangarei-Gisborne-Wellington-Auck-land-Christchurch and Dunedin, following routes which, it is stated, differ sufficiently from the services already granted to warrant the license. ,The amended routes applied for are Whangarei - Auckland - Hamilton - Rotorua - Whakatane and Gisborne, with an extension to Russell if required, Auck-land-Rotorua -Napier-Masterton - Wellington. Permission is being sought to utilize other adjacent towns as ground facilities are permitted. Another route is Christchurch - Timaru - Cromwell - Queenstown - Dunedin with the right to call.at Ranfurly or Roxburgh if necessary. i . Evidence was given by Mr H. M- McKay, who said the company was a private company, the directors being his wife and nimself. He gave details as to the machines and routes, the company having provided for two machines on each route and one in reserve. Mr Goodwin (Falcon Airways) asked .if Mr McKay would forgo the Auckland- Whangarei section in favour of Captain Hewitt He replied that he would sooner co-operate than forgo. Mr Withers opposed the AucklandRotorua route for which another company had applied for a daily service. He also opposed the whole Auckland-Wel-lington route and the third route as far as it conflicted with his company’s route between Timaru and Christchurch.

East Coast Airways objected to a license for the type of machines proposed, said Mr J. G. Nolan, on the •ground of public safety and because his company having as its avowed intention an extension when warranted beyond Gisborne and Napier was entitled to some protection from the board in view of its existing license. Wing Commander Grant Dalton agreed and said he considered twin engined machines were the only type suitable for civil aviation. The board reserved its decision.