AIR SERVICE TO INVERCARGILL

Southland Times, Issue 23379, 10 December 1937, Page 6

AIR SERVICE TO INVERCARGILL

Early Establishment

Desired

SOUTHLAND’S “UNFAIR ISOLATION’’

The necessity of taking action through the Government to ensure that a feeder air service between Invercargill, Gore and Dunedin was established without delay, was emphasized in a letter received by the council of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce at its meeting yesterday from a member of the chamber. Only by pressure, the letter stated, would Southland’s “present position of unfair isolation be removed.” There were present at the meeting: Messrs J. H. Reed (chairman), A. le H. Hoyles, D. J. Wesney, C. S. Stevens, J. S. Brass, P. L. Hodge, G. E. T. Dorman, W. Grieve, R. M. Strang, W. A. Ott, R. A. Douglas, C. B. Tapley, H. F. Drewe and L. Bradfield.

The letter, the writer of which asked that his name be not published, stated: “The recent expansion of commercial air services should emphasize the necessity of taking measures to ensure that a feeder service, operating between Invercargill, Gore and Dunedin, is inaugurated without further delay. In the North Island, Wellington, Auckland, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Napier and Gisborne are given a daily service by commercial aeroplanes. In the South Island, Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson and Blenheim have a daily service, and Greymouth and Hokitika have a tri-weekly service. Is it not time that the province of Southland was linked up by this modern means of transport? “Union Airways is reported to have an option not only over the Invercargill, Gore, Dunedin service licence, but also over the Stewart Island licence. If this is so, I suggest that steps should be taken now to see that both options are exercised.

“The fact that our new aerodrome has not yet been brought into active use offers no sound reason for delay, as I understand that at least one aerodrome now in commercial use is less suited to the requirements of aviation than the Myross Bush aerodrome and no doubt the Southland Aero Club would readily give what assistance it can to a commercial company. The early carriage, without surcharge, of all firstclass mail matter by aeroplane between centres having a regular service may soon become an accomplished fact. In such an event, obviously we should not submit to being left outside the postal chain. The north-bound aeroplanes leave Dunedin at an hour which would make a connection from here impracticable, but that aspect could be left in the background in the meantime. Let us concentrate on getting the “ervice first. TOURIST POSSIBILITIES “Apart from these two services to which we are clearly entitled, our Southern lakes and fiords are generally conceded to be so attractive from the tourist point of view, that a commercial company could substantially supplement its earnings by catering for that traffic. Where is there a better,

jumping off ground for these scenic wonders than Invercargill? I trust that something will be done without delay to ascertain preferably through the Government, the intentions of Union Airways towards the needs of this province, and if necessary our claims should be vigorously pressed by a thoroughly representative delegation. Only by pressure will Southland’s present position of unfair isolation be removed, and I repeat that any action taken should be taken through the Government.”

Mr Strang said the letter should be referred to the shipping committee for discussion.

Mr Wesney said that the question had been brought before the Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) when he was in Invercargill and the Minister had stated that Invercargill would not be neglected, but that it would be necessary to wait until the municipal airport was completed. Preliminary steps could, however, be taken, Mr Wesney added.

Aeroplanes could not leave early enough from the Myross 3ush aerodrome to catch the Dunedin service, Mr Hodge said. There were no proper lighting facilities and it would be dangerous for an aeroplane ■‘o take off without them. In any case, the matter was being pushed in several quarters. From the general trend of the letter it could be taken that nothing was being done. That was far from the case. The letter is to be referred to thq shipping committee.