AIR SERVICES

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 189, 19 August 1935, Page 5

AIR SERVICES

Auckland-Dunedin Route

INCLUSION OF PALMERSTON

BOARD HEARS EVIDENCE

(Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day.

• The question of whether Palmerston North should be included in. the route of the Great Pacific Airways in their proposed Auckland-Dune-din passenger and air mail service

was again before the Transport Co ordination Board to-day. In July the Board announced its decision that Palmerston North should be excluded from the route of Pacific Airways in view of the fact that it was the northern terminal of Union Airways inter-island mail service from Palmerston North to Dunedin. Protests were at once made by a number of local body authorities

and business companies, and formal application was made by Aviation Development Limited on behalf of Great Pacific Airways for amendment to the license granted Pacific Airways. Sir Stephen Allen presided and with him were Messrs L. Aiderton and H. B. Johnstone. A large number of local authorities are making represetations in favour of the inclusion of Palmerston North, and Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth, Wanganui and Lower Hutt are making representations through counsel or other representatives of councils and business interests, and from the East Coast and Hawke's Bay centres and districts representations have been received by the board in writing. Mr. H. F. O’Leady, for Great Pacific Airways, contended that Palmerston North was an essential port of call in the route of a service, the object of which was to serve the whole of New Zealand. He referred to representations made by the Union Steamship Co. to the Board that Palmerston North should be excluded from the route of Great Pacific Airways, as an attempt to cripple the operations of that company. Palmerston North must be the biggest air travel centre as it was at present the biggest road and rail centre in the

North Island. Mr. O’Leady referred to the proposed timetables of L'nion and Great 'acific Airways to show that the two services cater for different types of passengers and mail load, and said that the Palmerston North call was essential for connection between Wellington and Hawke's Bay and East [ Coast centres. Sir Stephen Allen replied that it would be more convenient to passengers from those districts to Wellington to come direct to Wellington J rather than change at Palmerston North. This afternoon evidence from local authorities and the Chamber of Commerce is being heard.