TASMAN AIRWAYS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 129, 1 May 1940, Page 7

TASMAN AIRWAYS.

NEW SERVICE BEGINS. AOTEAIIOA AT SYDNEY. SYDNEY, April 30. Forging the last link in Australia’s chain of aerial connections with the world, the flying-boat Aotearoa alighted at Rose Bay at 1.50 o’clock this afternoon, having inaugurated the long-awaited Tasman air-mail and passenger service. The actual landing m beautiful weather ivas broadcast, together with a two-way conversation ivith the flying-boat many miles over the sea. The Federal Government was represented at the arrival by the Minister for Air (Mr J. V. Fairbairn), who congratulated Captain J. AY. Burgess and the representatives of the co-op-erating companies on the. consummation at long last of this important air link between the sister Dominions. Mr Taylor 1 (New Zealand Government Trade Commissioner in Australia) spoke in similar strain with the utmost cordiality and shook hands with the members of the crew.

Tributes to the crew were paid by directors of Tasman. - Empire Airways, Messrs A. E. Rudder, W. H, Fysli and C. G. White, who were passengers in the flying-boat. Mr White also praised the part played by Colonel N. S. Falla in the negotiations. The passengers said the weather generally was very good, the trip being at an average altitude of 5000 ft, The Aotearoa was extremely steady a.nd comfortable, and all the passengers had a feeling of the utmost security-, ____