USES OF THE AEROPLANE

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1934, Page 7

USES OF THE AEROPLANE

VALUE IN EXPLORATION WORK. EXPERIENCE ON WEST COAST ijunedin, March 28. When Mr. JarrlSs Wood, assistant engineer to thh Public Works Department, ahd Mr. T. M. Ball, district engineer in Dunhedin, recent!? flew d&Wh the West Coast in an aeroplane and landed at Haast, they found 50 settlefs there, One of whom, an old miner, saw ah aeropland for the first time. When thd vimtors left next day they were gweft 50 letters to post. There is nOW sdriie promise of aviation developments on the W&t Coast, for following -a report by Mr. Wood, the Government has agreed to grant assistance that will result in. a great improvement in the landing ground at Haast. The aerodrome here is the nearest in a direct line to Australia, and in view Of its strategic importonceit has attracted the attention of the Defence Department, Mr. Sall, in an interview to-day, Said he SaW great possibilities in the development Of the West Coast by air. For instance, the aeroplane Would be inValuable to timber men inspecting bush areas with a view to Opening them up fdr milling purposes. He had bdefi very much struck by the timber resources Of the Sig Say, HOllyford and Pyke River areas, Where the trees appeared to be much larger than those which were now being milled south of Hokitika. On his Visit Mr. Ball Was primarily concerned with exploration fOr reading purposes, and he Stressed thd value Of the aeroplane for investigations of this kind in rough country. A good idea was obtained, he stated, of the altitudes and the nature of the country, and the selection bf pointsl fOC river crossings was also facilitated. This means of exploration was also leas expensive than the ordinary methods. Moreover, the magnificent mountain, glacier and bush Scenery of the West Coast, especially the toWetirig peaks pf COok, ’Tasman' ahd Aspiring, cduld be seen to ho better advantage than from the air.

Forced landings by aeroplanes in the West Coast district did hot present the dangers that one might expect to exist. Mr. ©all added that it was possible for a small plane handled by a good pilot to land bn almo. any of the river-beds, though it might be difficult to take off.