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Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1931, Page 4

Ax aeroplane arriving from South Westland was an unusual experience on Tuesday evening,, hut it was an evidence of the possibilities for the future. Reports state that the Okuru residents quickly developed an air sense, and the demand for aerial flights was more than the machine could comply with, within the time available. This suggests the possibility of the adoption of the speedy means for transport from the south in due course. And of course there is every, reason to expect that to develop. Flying is now such a vogue that distance is being annihilated 1 all round the world, and just as major flights are being accomplished, so the minor flights on stepping stones to, greater achievements, will be made. The flight from Otago via the Hmast Pass to Okuru, and thence to Hokitika, was a. pioneer effort accomplished with comparative ease. A brief interval of a little more than a,n hour sufficed for the crossing from the habitations in Otago to the settlement in Westland. That done, the visitors had a short stay in hospitable quarters, and the trin to Hokitika was accomplished in a. little over two hours. An easy landing was possible on the foreshore here, but the visit was a reminder that this locality is still without a reasonable landing place. This is a , reproach which should he removed without delay, because with the growth of flying, a suitable landing here would attract many aerial visitors, and piohahly help 'to create a local love for the pastime. Some little time ago a p?os- | pective location was mentioned, and with the faciliies there are now for putting the landing in good order, an opportunity to do the town lasting service appears to he passing. This is , a , matter which might be taken up with interest, as once a landing ground is provided, the future connection, of the

town and district with flying developments will be most marked, and the marvel will be that action in that direction was not carried through earlier.