AIR SERVICES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20932, 11 January 1938, Page 6

AIR SERVICES

PACIFIC AND TASMAN PROVISION OF WEATHER DATA By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, January 10. Plans for the adequate provision of meteorological information for air services across the Pacific and Tasman Oceans were outlined by Major E. H. Bowie, head of the United States Weather Bureau, San Francisco when he arrived at Auckland by the Mariposa from Sydney after discussing meteorological services with Australian officials. Plans were formulated by the recent regional meteorological conference for the south-west Pacific held at Wellington and were forwarded to the authorities as recommendations for the proper development of aviation in this part of the world. One of the basic convictions of the conference said Major Howie and one which had been expressed by resolution was that meteorological services for aviation and particularly transocean services could not be undertaken without adequate facilities for radio communication for trans-ocean routes. It was considered that the commercial cable services could not adequately meet requirements and that provision must be made for point-to-point communication between terminals. The conference also considered that the future meteorological requirements of trans-ocean air routes over the SouthWest Pacific would necessitate the establishment of complete meteorological collecting and forecasting centres at Honolulu Samoa, and/or Fiji Auckland and at the New Zealand and Australian trans-Tasman terminals. Among the recommendations made for the provision of adequate information was one emphasising the importance of meteorological reports from the Kermadec Islands. It was of the opinion that the regular reception of such reports must be considered essential if adequate meteorological services were to be provided for trans-ocean aviation, and it recommended very strongly that a permanent station be established at Raoul or Sunday Island.

Australian Interest

Satisfaction was felt, said Major Bowie, that the Australian meteorological authorities were recommending the establishment of full meteorological stations at Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and on two vessels engaged in the trans-Tasman service. The conference had also considered it desirable that steps should be taken to establish similar stations at Tulagi, in the Solomon Islands; Vila, in the New Hebrides; Suva, Canton Island, Nukualofa and Rarotonga as soon as possible, In addition, because of their importance for trans-ocean aviation, the conference would welcome the taking of pilot balloon observations on board the Monterey and Mariposa, while on their way from the United States to New’ Zealand and Australia. Similar co-operation from other ships in this region would also be welcomed. The view had also been expressed that an increase in the number of reports from ships in the region was essential to the preparation of adequate meteorological reports to meet the needs of shipping and aviation and Administrations requested by recommendation to take appropriate action to this end. It was considered, said Major Bowie, that the International Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology should be requested to appoint a standing committee for the trans-Pacific and transTasman air routes, the committee to consist of representatives of the services concerend with the provision of meteorological information. The communication arrangements between the terminals must be such that continuous two-way radio communication was available for use by the meteorological services.

Continuous Service The development of trans-ocean air services would necessitate a 24-hour meteorological service at all terminals on seven days of the week, and it was considered that the maximum interval between regular reports should be six hours, with three hours as the goal. Another important recommendation was that various Administrations should take suitable action from time to time to ensure that an efficient standard of meteorological equipment and observational technique was maintained on ship stations under their control. For the preparation of suitable information, it is recommended that the following new New Zealand stations should be included in the collective reports obtained for broadcasting Norfolk Island, Kermadecs, Cape Maria Van Diemen, Russell, Kaipara, Hobsonville, Hamilton, Tauranga, Opotiki, East Cape, Kawhhia, Taupo, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Cape Egmont, Portland Island, Napier, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Castlepoint, Masterton, Farewell Spit, Karamea, Stephen Island, Wellington, Nelson, Cape Campbell, Kaikoura, Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Arthur’s Pass, Christchurch, Akaroa Lighthouse, Jackson’s Bay, Fairlie, Timaru, Oamaru, Taiaroa Heads, Queenstown, Nuggets, Bluff, Puysegur Point and Chatham Island.