DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND

Southland Times, Issue 24114, 1 May 1940, Page 7

DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND

NUMBER OF PEOPLE GATHER AT AIRWAYS BASE

(United Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April 30.

Rising from Waitemata Harbour before sunrise, the flying-boat Aotearoa today inaugurated the regular Tasman commercial service, New Zealand’s final air link with Britain. Shortly before six o’clock, the Minister of Aviation (the Hon. F. Jones) cut the ribbon across the gangway, and at 6.9, with a final wave from Captain J. W. Burgess, the Aotearoa was off. It circled the city beneath a clear sky and swept westward for Sydney. The Aotearoa is expected back on Thursday. Before its departure brief speeches were made by Mr Jones, Sir Harry Batterbee, United Kingdom High Commissioner in New Zealand, Captain E. C. Johnston, Assistant Director of Aviation for Australia, and Colonel N. S. Falla, chairman of directors of Tasman Empire Airways. The Aoteoroa carried a crew of six and nine passengers. Speaking before the departure of the Aotearoa Mr Jones mentioned facts which had militated against an earlier establishment of the service to which the people of New Zealand and Australia had been for long looking forward. “It is a wonderful tribute to the resources and energy of the British peoples,” said the Minister, “that during a period when the utmost efforts were being demanded for the fulfilment of our tremendous requirements for the armed forces we can embark on a scheme involving a 1200 miles extension to the longest air route in the world.” Mr Jones wished the captains who in future would be in charge of the flying-boats pleasant take-offs and happy landings. In spite of the early hour, a number of people gathered at the airways base and on surrounding vantage points. It was still dark when the brief ceremony began. As the ship lifted in the first light of a perfect flying day, the silver of her hull merged with the grey of the morning and only her tiny white tail-light could be seen. The happy passengers expected to be in Sydney for afternoon tea.

After the Aotearoa ceremony, Mr Jones left by air, accompanied by Sir Harry Batterbee and Colonel Falla.