Prospects of Early Air Services

Lake County Mail, Issue 35, 4 February 1948, Page 1

Prospects of Early Air Services

Special to Lake County Mail

At the meetings of local and public bodies held prior to discussions with Sir Leonard Isitt, when he visited Lake and Vincent Counties last week, the most notable feature was that resolutions were passed unanimously. Representatives therefore knew exactly what they wanted and did not intend to side track the issue or unnecessarily prolong their discussions with Sir Leonard. They were able to place before him sound and reasonable requests backed by “solid” evidence of their requirements. The committees also co-operated to the fullest to provide Sir Leonard with first-hand information.

It is obvious enough that he appreciated these facts for his addresses were of the same calibre. He was frank. He told the meetings what was possible and what was not. He went even further —he gave detailed reasons why certain things were not possible. To give committees a clearer picture of the situation he outlined difficulties which were being encountered on air routes now operating in the Dominion. When he completed his address he invited the meetings to question him. He was determined that they should have all the information they required. This, the various committees must surely have appreciated. Sir Leonard, however, impressed the fact that he was not an authority for the issue of air service licences. He was inspecting districts as chairman of a special committee set up by the Government for the purpose of submitting recommendations for the establishment of aerodromes and services throughout the Dominion. However, the Government does not appoint men like Sir Leonard to make such extensive surveys unless it intends to accept his recommendations. Hi should not be too optimistic to say therefore, that the people of Queenstown and Glenorchy may look forward to the establishment of air taxi services in the not too distant future as the addresses at these two places were most encouraging. At Glenorchy Sir Leonard stated that his visit had given him a clear appreciation of the circumstances surrounding the requests of residents of the area. The matter of Air Taxi Services was complicated, he added, but the ease would be placed before the Minister for Air and his department. When support of such an air service was endorsed at a meeting held at Queenstown, Sir Leonard as-

sured the meeting that such cases as that of Glenorchy will not be held over until a full report is compiled but that a recommendation would be made to the Aviation Board as soon as possible. He would also make strong recommendations to the Aviation Minister for an engineer to come and inspect the Glenorchy ground. He thought that a limited licence could perhaps be granted. When addressing a meeting at Glenorchy Sir Leonard said that the matter of a feeder-service was at present claiming his attention as he was in the district for that purpose. This was followed up by a most startling statement at Queenstown that it is the intention of National Airways Corporation to link Queenstown to the main route but to what point it has not yet been decided. When aerodrome facilities become available he considered it would not be long before such a service would be inaugurated. The Queenstown meeting, however, placed before Sir Leonard two requests as under:— That a recommendation be made to the Air Department for the immediate granting of an air taxi and charter service to suitable persons to operate from the Frankton aerodrome, and, that early consideration be given to a suitable service to the main route from Queenstown. The following local and public bodies were represented at the meetings:— GLENOECHY MEETING Lake County Council (D. H, Cockburn, T. E. Bryant), Upper Wakitipu Progressive League (G. Koch, A. Vernon, J. H. Forbes), T. L, Macdonald, M.P., E. R. Hopwood, County Clerk (secretary). QUEENSTOWN MEETING Frankton Aerodrome Board (D. H. Cockburn, E. Thompson, Dr W. A. Anderson). Lake County Council (W. A. McLean, D. R. Rowe, H. A. Vezey, county engineer). Queenstown Borough Council (F. J. Gavin, J. L. Lindsay, M. T. Robertson, town clerk). .. Arrowtown Borough Council (E. Saunders). Queenstown Progressive League (R. E. Robins, J. McDonald). Government Tourist Department (Captain G. A. Herbert). Southland Progressive League (J. N. Armour). Southern Scenic Airtrips, Ltd. (F. J. Lucas, T. L. Macdonald, M.P., E. R. Hopwood, county clerk, secretary).