TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17466, 28 July 1928, Page 10

TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHT.

WHY NOT A NEW ZEALANDER? WELLINGTON'S AVIATION GROUND. 1 "Why should we wait for Captain Kingsford Smith, an Australian, to flj the Tasman Sea?" sai<fMr H. D. Bennett when discussing the legibility ol [he Lyall Bay Heserve as an air base for Wellington. "I am very pleased to see that the Mayor is taking such an interest in this project," continued Mr Bennett, "as it is only right that the capital city of New Zealand should have an air base, and that as soon as possible. The writing is,on the wall for all to read that within a year or two aerial transport will be fairly common. It is beginning already with the importation of those wonderfully efficient little machines called 'Moths,' which make flight anywhere within New Zealand possible in decent weather. As to whether or not the Lyall Bay ground is large enough I am not quite so sure. I have been I reading Commander Byrd's book re--1 cently, and he speaks of a mile runway being necessary for the big oceangoing 'planes, but that distance may be shortened if a broad ramp can be provided, say, on the side of a hill. This would be quit feasible at Lyall Bay, as there are low hills on the eastern side of the bay that might be brought into use for that purpose. As for the rest, the only job we have to do is to level the sandhills and sec that no buildings are erected where they would obtrude on the actual landing ground. Of course the smaller 'planes do not need nearly so much room to land or'take off, but as the field develops we will probably have to remove our plant at Rongotai to a position that will not be so obtrusive as it is at present. But these things are for the future: Still, Ido think—and anyone who reads of the astonishing progress that is being made in aerial transport in Europe and America must realise—that it is coming along fast, and that within a very few years we will have the dirigibles in the Pacific, making trips'-.with, the regularity of mail steamers. Tho Tasman Crossing, "But there is one thing I fee) deeply about, and that is that the Tasman crossing should be made by a New Zealandcr. Why should wc have to wait for KingsfoTd Smith? He seems to be quite indifferent as to when he makes tho trip, and now talks of touring Australia before attempting to fly the Tasman. We have plenty of able airmen who would be only too glad to attempt the feat, and as far as I can see it only needs financing. This is where the Government should step in. Surely the purchase of a big 'plane capable of flying 2000 miles would not be out of place for a Government to effect. Perhaps a little later we will have to purchase such machines for defence purposes. The honour of fathering such a performance would redound to the credit of the Government enormously. It has been proved conclusively that there are thoroughly ■eiiable machines for these long flights, >ved every day "over the National ways in Europe and India, and the chase of a machine capable of oiling from Auckland to Bluff in a i hours must have its advantages . occasions of great emergency. I nk llic Government, should take up ; matter and do ils share of the j meering work in aerial transport in ..lis nart af the world." a '