TEST PLIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 66, 11 December 1919, Page 9

TEST PLIGHTS

FOR TUE CARRIAGE OF MAILS

TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH

Me-si'o., Walsh Bros., of the KohiAiaranui (Auckland) Flying School, hnvo submitted certain proposals to tho Post-ina.ster-Goneral (Hon. J. G- Coates), which embody a series of test flights by ecaplaiio between Auckland and such proyinwa. towns as Dnrgavillc, Wliangaroi, oud tho Thames. They propose to leavo Auckland on a scheduled time after tho closmg of the mail, and, carrying some 601b. weight of mails, proceed to tho destination decided upon. For tho journey to Wliangaroi tho promoters estimate to cover tho distance ill 1} hours, end to tho Thames in 45 minutes, which looks liko revolutionising provincial wail services if expedition were tho solo consideration. Tho proposal has been considered by the Minister, and as the outcome . tho flights will bo mado dming January, ■which probably is the most settled month as far as weather is concerned in the northern centra. Seaplanes are tho aerial medium solectwl for these flights, ti3 the journeys to be mado will bo largely over water. For instance, tho journey to and from tho Thames will bo down tho Hauraki Gulf, a water journey tho wholo way, whilst on the northern trips tho tuacliino will never be out of sight of tho sea, and with tho harbours and rivers threading the district the water areas will roako safer landing places than unprepared country. In any ca3o those who have given the subject consideration believe that If the Government does use tho air as a means of rapid mail communication, the seapiano will bo tho particular typo of air oraft used, as it first of all presents tho broadest safety factor. New Zealand has an averago width of less than a hundred miles, beyond which strip of land aro vast ocean spaces, on which an aeroplane could easily bo lost. The case for modern 6eaplanes, however, is entirely 'different. Their adoption would eliminate the need of aerodromes (not so easily provided in places like Wellington and Dunedin), and should there bo engine trouble tho chances would be that the machine would be able to volplane down to the nearest water, ba it sea or harbour, bay, lake, or river, without coming to great deal of harm. The flights to be made next month will be the first official testa of aerial mail-carrying "in New Zealand, and will doubtless bo watched with a great deal of interest by those concerned in the efficiency and progress of our postal services. '