TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 24113, 30 April 1940, Page 4

TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Flying-Boat Will Leave Today

PASSENGERS FOR AOTEAROA (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 29. Bringing to a successful conclusion the inter-Governmental negotiations that began in 1934, the Tasman Empire Airways flying-boat Aotearoa will leave Auckland for Sydney at 6 o’clock tomorrow morning in the first regular trans-Tasman commercial flight. In command will be Captain J. W. Burgess, who will be accompanied by a crew ot six and nine passengers. After a short ceremony at the Mechanics Bay air base, at which the Minister of Aviation (the Hon. F. Jones) will cut a ribbon hung across the gangway, the flying-boat will take the air on the 1300-mile journey to Sydney. Flying at a probable height of 5000 feet, the trip will take in the vicinity of 84hours, according to an estimate by Captain Burgess tonight. Approximately 41,000 letters weighing 6501bs will be carried by the Aotearoa. For Australia there will be 20,000, for the east, including Egypt, there will be 5000, and for the United Kingdom there will be in the vicinity of 16,000. The mail will include 1258 registered articles. . The passengers include Captain E. C. Johnston, of Melbourne, Assistant Director of Civil Aviation in Australia, Mr A. E. Rudder, representative for Australia and New Zealand of the British Overseas Airways Corporation and deputy-chairman of the Qantas Empire Airways, Mr W. Hudson Fysh, man-aging-director of the Qantas Empire Airways and Mi - C. G. White, of Wellington, director of the Union Steam Ship Company. Messrs Rudder, Fysh and White are all directors of the Tasman Empire Airways. The other passengers will be Messrs Harvey Turner, T. C. Webster, H. O. Browne, Miss Joan Hewitt and Miss P. Dromgool, all of Auckland. The Aotearoa is expected to return to Auckland on Thursday. GOVERNMENT DINNER IN AUCKLAND FOSTERING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN NATIONS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 29. The importance of aviation in bringing countries closer together, not only in distance but also in friendship and general outlook, was emphasized by speakers at a dinner in the Grand Hotel tonight given by the Government in honour of the inauguration of the Tasman air service. The Minister of Aviation (the Hon. F. Jones) presided, and those present included members of the Legislature, Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, Captain E. C. Johnston, of Melbourne, Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation in Australia, Captains J. V . Burgess and Oscar Garden, of the Aotearoa and Awarua respectively, and representatives of Tasman Empire Airways and associated companies. Appreciation of the assistance given by all who had been connected with the negotiations for the Tasman service since it was first mooted in 1934 was expressed by Mr Jones in proposing the toast of the new service. He admitted that the negotiations had extended over a long period, but he pointed out that many unforeseen circumstances had arisen to delay their successful conclusion. Mr Jones paid a special tribute to the efforts of the Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser), whose persistency had resulted in the second fly-ing-boat Awarua being made available for service. Much assistance had also been received from representatives of the United Kingdom and Australia. IN CENTENNIAL YEAR

“It is fitting that this service should begin in our centennial year,” said Mr Jones. He drew a contrast between the days of sailing ships and modern aviation, pointing out that the Dominion’s isolation was almost vanishing. With continued increase in speed, the country’s isolation would soon become a memory. “I feel sure that this most modern method of travel will bring about closer co-operation between Australia and New Zealand in all matters of importance, but particularly in defence,” the Minister said. “That also applies to the peoples of other parts of the Empire.” The aim of Tasman Empire Airways to provide the public with the best possible service was emphasized by Colonel N. S. Falla, in replying to the toast.

Sir Harry Batterbee in reply said that as one who had been connected with the inauguration of the transAtlantic service he knew the value of an enterprise of this nature. Such a service depended for its success on the goodwill of all concerned and he was sure the Tasman service would achieve that success.

Captain Johnston spoke on behalf of the Australian Government.