WELL IN HAND

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1933, Page 7

WELL IN HAND

DOMINION AIR SERVICE-SCHEME

COMMJ3NCEMENT IN OCTOBER

DUNEDIN, April 24

The organisation or a Dominion air service wmcn wi.l link tne principal centres as tar south as Christchurch i:nd perhaps Timaru was stated today by Mr H. M. Mackay, managing director of New Zealand" Airways, to be well in hand, and it is hoped to 'maiign rn te tf,ie serxnoa in - 0* do ben next.

Three machines, one of which has i."]ready been purchased at Sydney for the company, nil! he used in the service, which it is'hoped will form the foundation for a regular trans-Tasman air line. The passenger plane Southern Sky, which was secured from Australian Natonal Airways, was purchased at a cost of £3150 and not £l5O as was stated in cable published tills morning, said Mr Mackay. This machine, which was one of several used by Australian National Airwiays, was an Avro 10 of a design somewhat' similar to the Southern Cross, and was one of the fleet used in the MelbourneTasmania, Melbourne-Sydney and Syd-ney-Brisbane services, having been flying on these lines for 12 months. The Avro 10 machine would carry up to 14 passengers, It was much faster than the Southern Cross* having a cruising speed of 100 miles an hour. Sir Charles Klngsford Smith had speoially recommended this type t of plane as most suitable for the proposed service. Sir Charles was identifying himself with the project, in which lie would be interested financially, while ho would also take a position on the directorate of the company. New Plymouth, it is understood, will be a stopping place for the service.