NORTHERN HARBOURS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20929, 7 January 1938, Page 4

NORTHERN HARBOURS

CENTAURUS MAKES A SURVEY FLIGHT By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. January 6. With a party of guests including representatives of the Auckland Harbour Board the Centaurus took off shortly after eight o'clock this morning on a flight to Parengarenga and the Bay of Islands to enable Captain Burgess to study these two harbours as possible emergency landing bases. This flight completes the New Zealand survey. The Centaurus returned at 11.45 a.m. She travelled north by way of the East Coast circling over Russell. Circling several times over Parengarenga she went on to Spirits Bay, practically rounding the North Cape, which was hidden under cloud, thence down the West Coast. She turned inland circling over Rangitoto before landing on the Auckland Harbour. Almost perfect conditions were experienced all the way. Captain Burgess said the flight was only in the nature of a survey of the northern harbours as had been made of the soWthern ports. He was not in a position to comment on their respective advantages or disadvantages. Passengers on to-day's flight were the Hon. T. Bloodworth and Mr D. Holderness, chairman and superintendent respectively of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr J. Melling, Town Clerk, Flight-Lieutenant Lester, commanding Hobsonville air base, Mr F. Maurice Clarke, manager of Union Airways and several officers of Union Airways.