LOCAL AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1933, Page 4

LOCAL AVIATION

SEALING CROUNDS IN FAR SOUTH PROPOSED PATIiOL OF COAST During the past IS months, since the introduction of aeroplanes to the district as an accepted integral part of . its daily existence, the benefits of aviation have, been stressed in more ways than one—in acceleration and improved facility of travel, in revealing to the eye many of the wondrous giories of the scenic preserves hither to Hidden from the casual traveller by road, and in rapid transport of medical cases requiring treatment, to mention name, ana new a proposal is afoot whereby local aviation aims at rendering a national service, in a sphere which is unique, that of policing, or •patrolling, the coast-line sealing grounds off South .Westland, from Jackson’s Bay to Milford Sound. The suggestion has been initiated /by West Coast Airways, Ltd, the recently formed commercial aviation company, which is now considering the purchase cf a twin-enginpd commercial plane, cf the Dragcn Aloth type, esp‘able of carrying from six to. eight passer gers. At its last meeting it was decided that, if the machine were exempted from customs and primage duties, the company would undertake to patrol the southern coast-line sealing grounds from Jacksons Bay to Milford Sound, and they are now awaiting reply.

In the earlier days seals wen)' very numerous in the locality of the fiords, }and were responsible; for the visits of whaling and sealing vessels who reaped rich harvests. Then came the day when these incursions into the sealing grounds were no Longer permitted, and the vessels ceased calling, - For a long time past, however, it is understood, but actual confirmation is so far lacking, that- surreptitious “raids” have been 1 -made from time to time, while rumours have frequently teen circulated in- far South' Westland tli'it boats, have been seen in the locality behaving in a manner not in conformity with vessels'on the usual commercial route, arid there has been no telling whence they came or whither they went. Further it is common knowledge that seal skins have been pirated. Inquiries have been made, and detectives sent down to the locality, but nothing tangible was found, sufficient to warrant ‘ the inquiries being prosecuted.

It is quite possible for vessels en- , 'gaged in this illegal occupation to come up devious routes, practically,’ from nowhere, anchor sav 30 or 40 miles of? the coast, and launch fast pinnaces, and the marauding'parties oculd kill and skin thousands in a very short tmer The isolated nature of the country adjoining the coast, with .its absence of population, would eliminate almost all risk of detection from the land, and, as a deterrent is absenti the present alleged pirating would he Able to continue.’

Now that the charge has been preferred, though, as yet, not substantiated, jt is advisable that steps, should be taken to provide some form, of'protection. v The /present- Government •coastal tender does not possess sufficient speed in the event of the latter being demanded, while its , visits to this locality are not of sufficient frequence to provide anything like a

regular patrol. The knowledge that a fast plane is within handy reach, and »at any time likely to appear, the element of risk is increased to such a degree, that these stealthy visits would not ba found at all profitable as the planes could quickly establish file identity of a shirr and the nature of its activities, and if giving rise to suspicion, report the facts and the vessel’s nautical position to tlie authorities. - With the acquisition of the twinengined machine the company coulcl. maintain an adequate supervision of the sealing grounds. Leaving Hokitika teh plane would complete its survey on a non-stop flight, whereas the present plane would have tostop f at Oknru on the. way down and back for refuelling purposes. ... .. • .