SURVEY FLIGHT IN SEPTEMBER

Southland Times, Issue 23827, 26 May 1939, Page 7

SURVEY FLIGHT IN SEPTEMBER

STARTING TASMAN AIR SERVICE TERMINAL AT AUCKLAND . INSPECTED (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 26. “In all probability there will be a survey flight across the Tasman to Auckland before the trans-Tasman air service begins in September,” said the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) on arrival in Auckland. How soon one of the flying-boats of the three built for the service will be sent out I could not say, except that it will be before September.” Mr Jones visited the New Zealand terminal of the trans-Tasman air service in Mechanics Bay, and expressed his satisfaction with the base. .. .. “My office has* said that we should be ready by June with our part of the facilities for the trans-Tasman air service,” the Minister continued. “Seemingly, the Australians, with their base and the establishment of certain equipment at Norfolk Island, will not be ready until September. We will have to wait until every link has been completed. We are only looking after the New Zealand end. “To cater adequately for the requirements of the proposed service in radio navigational aids it has been decided to open a new radio station at East Tamaki Head,” Mr Jones added, as a national memorial to Captain Edwin C. Musick and his crew who perished in the Samoan Clipper in January 1938, during one of their inaugural flights between America and New Zealand. The site of the new station will be known as Musick Point and the station will bear the name of Musick Memorial Station. The necessary equipment has been ordered and is expected to be available in ample time for the opening of the air service.”