START OF AIR SERVICE

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 160, 20 March 1939, Page 2

START OF AIR SERVICE

PASSENGERS AND MAILS FIRST TRIP THIS' MORNING SURVEY FLIGHTS LAST WEEK - ■ A An event- of great importance in the history of Opotiki, was the first passenger and air-mall flight from Auckto Gisborne, via Tauranga and Opotiki to-dav. Tile Union Arways’ airliner Korimako arrived at Opotiki at 9.4.5 and after a brief stop continued the journey to Gisborne, the passenger list being augmented by three passengers, from Opotiki. Mails were also, left and picked up at Opotiki. The Korimako was piloted by Commander K. Brownjohn. There was a fair gathering of residents at the aerodrome when the plane arrived. In future spectators will not be allowed on the aerodrome during the arrival and departure of the big air-liner. This step is being taken to do away with any risk of injury and has been adopted at other aerodromes for the safety of the public. A survey flight was undertaken by the Kcrimakoi last Friday and Saturday. Arrangements were altered at the last moment and the trip decided on on Friday as originally intended.

Piloted by Commander It. G- White, with Commander A. G. Gerrand as copilot, the Korimako, which recently emerged from the workshops after a complete overhaul, encountered favourable conditions over the .whole flight. The trip from Opotiki to Gisborne occupied only 30 minutes. Included among the passengers wore Mr. L. It. Wilkinson, Mayor of Tauranga. Mr. F. J. Short, chairman of the aviation authority at Opotiki; and Mr. P. A. Chappell, passenger manager for Union Airways at Auckland. Commander K. Brownjolm was also a member of the party, which included three . pressmen from Auckland!, a press photographer, and Mr. N. Dumont, of the Gisborne office of Union Airways, who joined the plane at Opotiki. Messrs. Wilkinson and Short, were much impressed by the facility with which the journey to Gisborne was made from their respective headquarters, and also with the agreeable conditions which characterised this particular trip. The air-liner returned to Auckland on Saturday, landing at Opotiki a few minutes after 9 o’clock. Mr. Short stated that the air-liner flew above a great cloud-bank for most of the trip anctl did not see the country below until the Korimako came out of the clouds at the foot of the Pakilii hills. The clouds below presented a marvellous sight as the air-liner travelled swiftly oil its journey.

The Korimako is expected to arrive at Opotiki to-morrow morning on the first- stage of the return journey to Auckland at 8.10 o’clock, a brief stop of ten minutes being made to pick up passengers and mails. The Opotiki booking offices are the R.M. Garage and the* Northern Steam Ship Co.’s office.