AIR LINK FORGED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 184, 1 May 1940, Page 10

AIR LINK FORGED

Transtasman Mail And Passenger Service SUCCESSFUL FIRST FLIGHT " (Received April 30, 11-10 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 30. Forcing the last link in Australia’s chain of aerial connexions witn the world, the flying-boat Aotearoa alighted at Rose Bay at l.aO o clock this afternoon, having inaugurated the- long-awaited Tasman airmail and passenger service, lhe actual landing in beautiful weather was broadcast, together with a two-way conversation with the flying-boat many miles over the sea.

The Federal Government was repreat the arrival by U-e « for Air Mr. Fairbairn, who con D rirti lilted Captain Burgess and the representatives of the cooperating companies on the consummation at long 1. st of this important air link between the tilstor Dominions. Mr Taylor, New Zealand GoverninentTrade Comniissioner in Australia, .poke in similar strain with the utmost cordiality and shook bands with tie members of the crew. Tributes to the crew were paid by directors of Tasman Impure A "' wavs, Messrs. A. E. Rudder, M. u. Vvsh and C. G. White, who were passengers in tiie flying-boat. Mr. White also praised the part played by Colonel N. S. Falla in the negotiations. The passengers said the weather generally was very good, the trip being at an average altitude of 0000 feet, the Aotearoa was extremely steady and comfortable and all the passengers bad a feeling of the utmost security.

departure from AUCKLAND

Nine Passengers And Crew Of Six SPEECH BY MINISTER OF AVIATION ([ly Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 30. Rising from Waitemata Harbour before sunrise, the flying-boat Aotearoa todav inaugurated the regular transTasman .commercial service of New Zealand's final air link with Britain. Shortly before 6 o'clock the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Jones, cut a ribbon across the gangway. At 6.9, with a final wave from Captain Burgess, the Aotearoa was off. It circled the city beneath a clear sky and swept westward for Sydney. The Aotearoa is expected back on Thursday. Before the departure brief speeches were made by Mr. Jones, Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, Captain E. C. Johnson, Assistant Director of Civil Aviation in Australia, and Colonel N. S. Falla, chairman of directors of Tasman Empire Airways. The Aotearoa carries a crew of six and nine passengers. speaking before the Hying-boat •» departure, Mr. Jones mentioned facts which had militated against an earlier establishment of the service to which the people of New Zealand and Australia had been for long looking forward. "It is a wonderful tribute to the resources and energy of tiie British peoples,” said Mr. Jones, "that during a period when the utmost efforts are being demanded for the fulfilment of our tremendous requirements for armed forces we can embark on a scheme involving a 1200 miles extension to the longest air route in tiie world.” He wished the captains who would in future be in charge of the flyingboats "pleasant take-offs and happy landings.” Despfte tiie early hour a number ot people gathered at the airways base and on surrounding vantage points. It was still dark when tiie brief ceremony commenced, but as the ship lifted in the first light of a perfect Hying day I lie silver of her hull merged with tiie grey of (lie morning and only her tiny white tail-light could be seen.