TASMAN AIR LINK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 128, 30 April 1940, Page 6

TASMAN AIR LINK

new service begins. AOTEAROA’S DEPARTURE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 30. Rising from the AA'aitemata Harbour before sunrise, the flying-boat Aotearoa to-day inaugurated the regular trans-Tasman commercial service— New Zealand’s final air link with Britain. Shortly before G o’clock the Alinister of Aviation (Hon. F. Jones) cut a ribbon across the gangway and at 6.9, with a final wave from Captain J. AV. Burgess, the Aotearoa was off. She circled tlie city beneath a clear skv and swept westward lor Sydney. She is expected back on Thursday. Before the departure brief speeches were made by Air -Jones, Sir Harry Batterbco (British High Commissioner), Captain E. C. Johnston (Assist-ant-Director of Aviation in Australia), ami Colonel N. S. Falla (chairman of directors of Tasman Empire Airways). Speaking before the flying-boat’s departure, Alt- Jones mentioned the facts which had militated against an earlier establishment of the service to which tlie people of New Zealand and Australia had been for long looking forward. “It is a wonderful tribute to the resources and energy of the British peoples,” said the Alinister', “that during a period when the utmost efforts are being demanded for the fulfilment of our tremendous requirements for tlie armed forces we can embark on a scheme involving a 1200 miles extension to tlie longest air route in the world.” „ Air Jones wished the captains who would in future he in charge of the flying-boats pleasant take-offs and happy landings. FUNCTION IN DARKNESS. Despite tho early 7 hour, a number of people gathered at the airways base and on the surrounding vantage points, tt was still dark when the brief ceremony commenced. As the ship lifted in the first light of a perfect flying day, the silver of her hull merged with the grey of the morning, and only- her tiny white tail light could be seen. Tbe happy passengei-s expected to be in Sydney for afternoon tea. PASSENGERS AND AIAIL. Approximately 41,000 letters, weighing (JoOlb, were carried. For Australia there were 20,000, for the East, including Egypt, 5000, and lor the United Kingdom, about IG,OOO. The mail includes 1258 registered articles. The passengers included Captain E. C. Joniiston, Melbourne, AssistantDirector of Civil Aviation in Australia, Air A. E. Rudder, representative for Australia and New Zealand of'tlio British Overseas Airways Corporation, and deputy-chairman of Qantas Empire Airways, Air AV. Hudson Fysh, managing-director of Qantas Empire Airways, and Air C. G. White, Wellington, a director of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd. Messrs Rudder, Fysh and AA’hite are all directors of Tasman Empire Airways. Other passengers were Alessrs Harvey Turner, T. C. Webster and FI0. Browne, Aliss Joan Hewitt and Miss P. Dromgool, all of Auckland. Every possible comfort and convenience is provided for tbe passengers in the flying-boat! The machine is internally heated, and monogrammed rugs and foot-muffs arc given to passengers, but more than that is required on a journey that may occupy between eight and ljL bom's. The aim of the flight steward and purser (Air R. A. Phillips) is to make the meals served on the company’s machines equal in quality to those for which Imperial Airways is noted on its crossChannel service. Large vacuum flasks keep the food piping hot for 12 hours or more, • as passengers will find at morning-tea time, 11 o’clock, and again when lunch is served at 1 p.m. The menu for luncheon includes oy 7 sters on shell, cream of tomato soup, cold turkey, ham, veal and ham pie and roast beef served with Russian salad, fresh fruit salad and cream, cheese, and tea or coffee. The steward carries stocks of cigarettes, for there is a. smoking cabin aft, and ho can offer an impressive wine-list.