AIR MAIL

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1932, Page 4

AIR MAIL

RETURN FROM OKURU. A SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY. The return air mail serv:c e from Okuru to Hokitika was completed this, morning. The plane left Okuru an 8.15 a.m. and arrived at Waiho at 9.15 a.m. Waiho was left af 10.46 aim. aj,u in., aorouKMie at noxiUka reached at 11.36 a.m.

Wednesday, September 28th, w? 6 a>. day of days in the little -village Of Okuru When Mr J. Renton and Mr A. •Nancekivel! carried from Hokitika the first air mail to arrive in the district; )

Some months earlier, ; the a via tola' had communicated to Mr R. Eggeling, who owns the ■ landing ground, a • wish to make the trip, and this wish was. given hearty encouragement, hue residents spent much time and labour in improving the ground and when Mr ißenton wired September 28th as' a suitable date, eager anticipation and fervent hopes that the God of the weather would be "kincf, the f e elings of th e residents.

The morning broke- fine and with gladness in the air almost the entire population of 'Okuru was in attendance •to witness the arrival' of thfe first air mail to Okuru; With' a rest of about a quarter of an hour the airmen . -took passengers above and many were the expressions of delight heard. The time occupied in the trip\ was' 60 minutes’ to the Waiho where a stop was mad© and mails were discharged. Another hour brought the plane to Okuru, A short address was delivered by Mr Gillin, who, in welcoming the aviators to Okuru, expressed the wish that this was but the forerunner of a series of visits. Both- the airmen re- ; sponded ) expressing their thanks' for such a hearty 'welcome and the kindness received, and also endorsed the wir,h that future trips 'would be common., In this -connection they assured the residents that they‘would welcome the opportunity to co-operate in establishing frequent visits.. Three hearty cheers were given for the aviators and a responsive compliment by the visitors. After partaking of refreshments the gathering left-the ground. • " . In th e evening the visitors were entertained at the residence of Mrs R; Eggeling who proved an efficient hostess. Games, cards and dancing wer e enjoyed by all, and with the -weather in its most pleasant mood, one of the mast delightful events Okuru has known will long be -remembered. Interviewed, this morning Mr Renton said that perfect flying conditions were ■ experienced on the trip. Leaving Hokitika at 7 a.m. yesterday, Mr Nancekivell piloting the machine to Waiho arriving <O4 7.50 o’clock on schedule' tjme. Delay was experienced at Waiho owing to the heavy mail and it. whs n.ot unlt-il 9;50 o’clock that Mr Renton took off,' 'and- Oleum was I‘eaclied at 10.4, DurifitFtbe trip ’ a wonderful view was obtained of the Fox nno Frau* Josef glaciers ana neighbouri ng . peaks, The landing ground at Okuru hw been vastly improved and no difficulty Was experienced in landing. The residents were to be congratulated on the complete manner in which they have fixed up the landtag ground. : ;^V : - THe plane left Okuru this morning at 8.15, Mr Nanoeldvell being at the controls, Waiho being reached at 9.15. The plane left, Waiho at 10.46,- Mr Renton being pilot, land Hokitika was reached at 11.36 a.m.. When leaving Hokitika yesterday morning the place, was somewhat overloaded, carrying a heavy mail, and four geiSoiis of benzine-' in the back locker, which later was left at Waiho. They replenished at Waiho and Okuru.

There is nothing definite in view at "present in regard to' future mail?. In case of s : cknees, the Okuru people are assured that a pilau© can be used to great advantage and the distance from civilisation, now does not seem >0 great. The success of the initial mail service is a matter for general congratulation the more so as it has been carried out by a local plane, and the owner pilot is locally trained, while the assistant pilot is also a local repdent, who received his instruction in Canterbury.