GISBORNE SERVICE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20060, 5 October 1939, Page 4

GISBORNE SERVICE

NO INFORMATION YET SPECIAL EFFORT URGED The news from Wellington that the Government is taking over all aircraft owned by the two big airways companies in the Dominion for the training of the Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel suggests that the services between Gisborne and the northern and southern centres will be drastically curtailed. No information was available in Gisborne this morning as to how this centre would be affected by the modified services referred to in the message, but in view of the great, benefit air connection is to places without railway outlet it is hoped that special consideration will be given to Gisborne. The inter-Island services and those between the main centres are expected to receive consideration, but it is felt in Gisborne that as those places are already served by comparatively fast railway and boat connection they will be no more important than the needs of the larger towns which depend so much on air travel.

One of the three Lockheeds owned by Union Airways is at present under repair, but may be ready by the time the commandeer of the passenger aircraft is completed, but if the three Lockheeds are the only ones to be available the Dominion’s air services will become a mere skeleton.

In the meantime, Gisborne people are awaiting with much interest an announcement regarding the extent to which the town will be affected by the air commandeer.