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Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1928, Page 4

The subject of aviation alld its. jpossibilities as regards aerial communication ior New Zealand, is much in the mind of the public now that the Kings. ford Smith party are so .much in the limelight and affording so much general knowledge to create an “air” atmosphere. It was of course a wonderful thing for the “Southern Cross” to span the Tasman Sea in a few minutes over fourteen hours. Abel Tasman, the first man to sail the sea. did the trip in the remarkably good time of nine days, when he sighted what was eventually Westland’s coastline. Captain Cook, who was a later voyager across the Tasman, occupied seventeen days and a half in the trip. Steamers adopt themselves to about four days and a-haif, though the record rime by steamers for the journey is just under four days. By air it will be seen it is.a matter of hours, and in the summer the trip- could be done in full daylight. The “Southern Gross” on the return journey will have daylight most of the way. On the return trip the aeroplane will gain an hour and a half of sun time, and by leaving New; Zealand early with the , break of day, Sydney should be reached before darkness really falls, as the gain in time will assist to save daylight. As regards the commercial side of aerial transport between Australia and New Zealand, a German company has proposals to establish an aerial connection by suitable planes specially built for the service. This move shows we are perhaps nearer a realisation of a regular aerial connection than seemed possible a few weeks ago. The saving in time by such a journey will induce many people to make the trip as passengers. Those bent on seeing important racing events in Australia with a limited time at their disposal, could complete the round trip in less time thjyr it now takes to make the steamer voyage one- wav. For commercial intercourse the service would have special value also, while the service to be pertormcd with regard to mail matter will be undeniably valuable for all sections of the community. The safety margin in flying is now being more and more assured, and given the true type of flying machine for the service, all things seem possible in regard to a greatly improved communication between the two countries. The visit of the “Southern Cross” has greatly stimulated interest, and public thought in regard to the matter, and a material advance and development is sure to follow.