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Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1927, Page 2

Thk proposal to arrange a Tasman Sea flight from New Zealand is being taken up actively in Auckland. The movement is well overdue, for in these times when aviation is so much under notice, the Dominion has remained quite out of the picture. An appeal is mra being made to tho Government to assist tho project- in mind, and no doubt help will be afforded from that quarter. The day when aviation can he turned to commercial advantage has long arrived. We know how successfully it is being used at Home. Nearer home, in Australia, it is in daily use for commonicaton purposes over long distances. There have been isolated flights in New Zealand from point to point, but the commercialised machine lias not made its appearance here yet. It would appear we are on the threshold of important developments. Tll any scheme for the aerial linking of Australia and Now Zealand, this West Coast must play a prominent part. The Coast offers the most direct landing point for the oversea traveller, and in a previous study of the possibilities, it has lieen laid down by writers that in West land there should . be established a permanent aerodrome. Wc believe this is not being lost sight of by some folk here, anti that, in mind there is a scheme to provide a landing place equal to the requirements of future developments. 111 addition to the coast ilne presenting so prominent a landig place to the Australian airman, we have Mount Cook, the outstanding peak of the Southern Alps, standing out as a daily beacon for the aerial voyager. Also there are the placid waters of Lake Mahinapua adjacent to the sea coast, where a seaplane could land always with safety—and the railway line linked with all parts of the South Island running beside nature’s landing place. These natural features bring the Coast more prominently still

into tlio -picture as a highly suitable place for a permanent aerodrome. There arc elevated plain lands overlooking the sea, and electric light and power will he available shortly, equal to any requirement for night signals or beacon searchlights for night flying. The development lias got to come, and the movement at Auckland brings the prospects for early inauguration much nearer. It would he well were the matter closely watched in these parts with a view to participating ultimately ill the advantages to accrue.