AIR BASES.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1927, Page 4

AIR BASES.

SELECTION OF SITES IN N.Z

AUCKLAND,

Aug. 30,

The Imperial Airways Mission Is having the worst possible weather for its investigations in the country round Auckland. Neither to-day nor on Monday was the visibiity good enough to warrant using the aeroplane brought from Christchurch for the Mission’s benefit so possible sites for the proposed airship base have had to be inspected by motor car. Mr M. A. Giblett, the meteorologist of the Mission, left for Wellington by train this evening to confer with Dr E. Ividson, Government Meteorologist. When the other members, Group-Cap-tain P .F. M .Feliowes, and Flight-

Lieutenant S. Nixon will go south is still uncertain, and will no doubt depend upon the weather. Speaking about the distance of airship bases, Flight-Lieutenant Nixon and Air Giblett pointed out that as the scheme was purely a commercial one, mooring towers would be located, preferably as near as possible to centres of trade. It was desirable to have them on level ground from the disturbing influences of mountains and not too close to the sea. The aim was to find a tract of counfry with nearly uniform air conditions for some miles on all sides of the tower. It would not be. advisable to plant a tower close to shore because warm air was to bo expected over land and cool air over tlie sea and vice versa. Whether the mission will traverse the whole length

of New Zealand is yet uncertain. It may bo taken for grouted that the. members will at least visit Wellington to confer with the Prime Minister and his colleagues, and with Departmental officials they will no doubt go on to Christchurch. Their main work is to recommend a sit© for one tower and to reach an understanding with the local authorities about a meteorological service and maintenance of New Zealand’s end of the wireless chain, which will extend along the airship route.

At the close of its visit, the mission will present a report to the Government. While experimental flights to South Africa are expected to be made next year, the Air Ministry does nob hold out a hope for flights to Australia and Now Zealand before 1930.