TRANS-TASMAN AIR CROSSING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20932, 11 January 1938, Page 7

TRANS-TASMAN AIR CROSSING

CENTAURUS RETURNS TO SYDNEY

“EFFICIENCY WITHOUT FUSS”

Uni: id press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 10, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 10. The Imperial Airways flying boat Centaurus arrived at 12.58 (Sydney time). SLIPPED INTO SYDNEY CROSSING DESCRIBED AS UNEVENTFUL United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 10, 8.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 10. The Centaurus, without so much fuss as a small Moth plane, slipped into Sydney and made a graceful landing in Rose Bay at 1 p.m. The weather was fine but hot and clear.

A waiting crowd of more than 3000 were taken by surprise when the giant machine came from an unexpected direction over Bondi, gliding almost noiselessly to the water. “The Sydney Sun” reports that Captain Burgess was mobbed by several women who endeavoured to kiss him. He described the flight as uneventful. The weather was mostly pleasant with occasional patches of cloud. Impression of Colonel White The official party that met the Centaurus included the assistant Minister of Customs (Mr J. Perkins) and the Controller of Civil Aviation (Captain E.-C. Johnson). The Minister of Customs (Colonel White), who came as a passenger by the Centaurus, looked fit and fresh. He said the trip had been extremely comfortable. He had thoroughly enjoyed the two way radio conversation with tile Australian Collector of Customs which had been arranged by the Sydney Commercial Radio station. Colonel White warmly praised Captain Burgess and his crew. Captain Burgess who had talks with Captain Johnson and others, said the speed averaged between 100 and 130 knots and the altitude round 1000 feet. The weather occasionally was not good, yet it was not very bad. The Centaurus had been steered by radio approaching the New South Wales coast owing to a dense haze. Colonel White declined to discuss the outcome of his talks on trade matters in New Zealand. START OF FLIGHT An Auckland Press Association message reports that the Centaurus left at 5 o’clock yesterday morning. There was no ceremonial farewell The wife, relatives and friends of Captain Burgess gathered at the PanAmerican Airways base. The Centaurus carried the Australian Minister of Customs (Mr T. W. White) as a passenger.

Making a long run into a light breeze, the Centaurus took off in 31 seconds, rising gracefully in a direct westward course. The weather was clearing after overnight showers. TASMAN TERMINAL DATA COLLECTED BY CAPTAIN BURGESS

REPORT TO COMPANY By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 9. With his survey tour of New Zealand completed, Captain J. W. Burgess, commander of the Centaurus, now has a considerable amount of data on which to report to the headquarters of his company, Imperial Airways, Limited, in England. On his return to Auckland from the northern survey of the flying boat Captain Burgess explained that he was not in a position to comment publicly on the advantages of the ports the Centaurus has visited throughout the length of New Zealand from the point of view of flying boat access and accommodation. He was asked if he considered Auckland to be the logical choice of harbours as a terminal for ocean air services. “Well, it has plenty of deep water,” he answered smilingly. “But that’s all I can tell you. I really can’t talk about those things.” It is gathered that the report which Captain Burgess will make to his company will be in the nature of r. confidential statement, and that he and his officers will assist the company’s experts in deciding on the site of permanent bases in readiness for the time when regular services may be started.

Details of Control

It is understood, stated the Canberra correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald" recently, that while agreement has already been reached between the three Governments on the basic principles of the Tasman service, differences of opinion over details of control remain to be adjusted.

These differences, it is understood, arise from the desire of the New Zealand Government to retain a direct and detailed control of the operations of the service, the equipment, and the disposition of the staff, the correspondent added. The British and Australian Governments, on the other hand, prefer to form a joint Government organisation to exercise general control on matters of broad policy and leave the actual conduct of the service to an operating company. Because of the fact that Quantas Empire Airways already has the equipment tor the service, the latter course offers the only means of establishing the service at once.

If a separate company with the three Governments as partners "were formed as an operating company, it might be a year or more before it could

procure the equipment necessary for the service.

Rapid organisation of the route will become necessary as soon as agreement has been reached if the new service is to operate in the near future. Special radio navigation equipment will have to be installed to guide the machines on the route. Auxiliary meteorological stations will be established at Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, and two meteorologists will be engaged permanently on ships on the Tasman run. Although the plans for this auxiliary to the flying-boat service have been completed by the Governments, no steps have yet been taken to procure and Install the