AIR SERVICES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 31, 6 February 1935, Page 8

AIR SERVICES

DOMINION ROUTES LICENCES REQUIRED FOUR COMPANIES APPLY I Per Frew Aasodatlua. J WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. Four companies applied to the Transport Co-ordination Board for licences to conduct air services over lengthy routes in New Zealand, the applications being heard together. Further applications covering brancn routes will be heard by the board later. The applications are being, heard by Sir Stephen Allen (chairman), Mr. H. B. S. Johnstone and Mr. Lisle Aiderton. Applications were made by ttm Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand for and on behalf of National Airways of New Zealand Ltd. (Wei lington). for a trunk route between Palmerston North and Dunedin, with calls at Blenheim and Christchurch; by Mr. 3. E. Nielson for and on be half of New Zealand Airlines Ltd. (New Plymouth), for a service between Auckland and Invercargill; by Mr. T. 6. Withers for and on behalf of Dominion Airways Ltd. (Auckland), for services between Auckland and Dunedin via Nfew Plymouth, and Auckland and Kelson via the East Coast, with calls it Rotorua. Gisborne, Hastings, Wan ganui, Palmerston North, Blenheim, Christchurch and Timaru, in addition to the other centres mentioned; and by New Zealand Airways Ltd. (Dunedin) for services as follows: (a) Auckland to Invercargill; (b) Wellington-Hoki-tika-Cromwell (e) Timaru CromwellDunedin; (d) Invercargill - Stewart Island; (c) Auckland-Whangarei; and (fi an air taxi service.

National Airways. When the first application was called, Mr. G. G. White, who repre sentea the Union Steam Ship Company, put the managing-director of the company (Mr. N. S. Falla) in the box to give evidence regarding the company's proposals. Mr. Falla said that rhe prospect of the company entering the aviation field dated back, to 1913 when the company was re-formed. The company had the advice of experts, including Squadron-Leader M. C. McGre got who would be in the service of the company if the licence were granted. Air services in New Zealand would have to be developed, and the company was aiming at a short strong ' trunk which could be served by branches. He estimated that the cost of a short trunk • e with good 1 machines, radio 1 .. jus and ground equipment would be about £lOO,OOO. The service would co-ordinate with the ' ivernight train from Auckland to Pat- ' merston North. Palmerston North ' could also be fed from Taranaki and the East Coast. The short trunk, gave ample opportunity for other companies to arrange feeder services, and would be of value to the progress of avia tion throughout New Zealand a? a whole. If the licence were granted an expert would go straight to England to secure machines, and the service would be inaugurated without delay. The chairman; You propose to use British machines? Mr. Falla said that the machines . aad not been definitely decided on. but 1 it was proposed that they should be ‘ British, that they should have more J than one engine, and should have ample reserve of power. Machines carrying from' eight to 10 passengers 1 were proposed. In rely to Mr. J. P. Ward, repre- ( senting New Zealand Airways; Mr. Falla said that National Airways of 1 New Zealand Ltd. existed in name £ only. His company wished to carry on 1 its aerial activities under a name other than that used for its shipping activities, and was applying for a licence accordingly. In reply to Mr. W. J. Sim, representing thp Mount, Cook Motor Com-

senting the Mount Cook Motor Company, he said that the trunk line proposed could be fed by air taxis from Mount Cook. The company di-d not propose to call at Wellington. Mr. Falla said that the Wellington connection south would be by feeder to Blenheim, Mr. S. E. Nielson: What is your reason for omitting Wellington? Mr. Falla: We would avoid the risks of the weather at Rongotai. Mr. Nielson: If Rongotai were improved, would you consider calling there? Mr. Falla: We think the best way to travel by air from Wellington is to slip over to Blenheim and pin tire trunk line there. New Zealand Airlines. The next application heard was that of New Zealand Airlines Ltd., for a route between Au< Eiland and gilMr. Nielson said that a great deal of pieliminary work in New Zealand had been done by the late Mr. Q. T. P. Ulm, and the plan was about to be launched when he was lost at sea about two months ago. Mr. Ulm had applied for a national service, and had it not been for his untimely end, he would have been present to submit a nlan fur the whole of New Zealand. Mr. Nielson said he had been re posted by Pacific Airways and Air. L’lm’s interest’s to ask for a postponement of consideration of the licences so that the data collected by Mr. I Im could be presented in support of the application. Mr. Uim had recommended a national service for New Zealand so that it could be used for defence. Mr. Nielson contended that jair services could not be established subsidies, and the Government •would not bp anxious io subsidise a .service if it, could not be used for defence. “if the applicants will not operate without subsidies, what the use o! granting licences?'' the chairman asked. Mr. Nielson said he was instructed to ask for an adjournment until June. The chairman said that the board proposed to hear other applications before considering the request for an adjournment. Mr. Nielson said that New Zealand Airlines was not yet registered, but it would draw most of its capital from Great Pacific Airways, an Austrian company with a large capital. Adjournment Supported. Mr. T. S. Withers also asked for an adjournment, and stressed the importance of the air services as part of :te defence system of the (Dominion. Dominion Airways had done a vast .mount of exploration work, and had

asked for the legislation brought down by the Government. After further evidence, the sitting of tl.e Transport Co-ordination Board was adjourned till to morrow AERO CLUBS AND TRANSPORT. ( Per Preus Association!. WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. The granting of automatic licences Io Aero Clubs throughout the Dominion for regular services was opposed before the Transport Coordination Board today hy New Zealand Airways, Limited, on the, grounds that the proposed fares would mean unfair competition with commercial concerns; also that the < lubs had secured machines by means of art unions or Government Joans and could undercut commercial concerns. Moreover, the clubs would not pay their pilots. Ah the representative of the clubs could not. produce evidence as to how the proposed fares wore arrived at, th® granting of the licences was deferred. The applicants included the Mana watu Aero Club and Melbourne Centenary Air Race Committee.