AMPHIBIAN PLANES FOR LAKE TAUPO SERVICE

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 144, 29 October 1954, Page 5

AMPHIBIAN PLANES FOR LAKE TAUPO SERVICE

TWO FIRMS TO OPERATE Licenses granted by the Air Service Licensing Authority sitting at Rotorua on Thursday, October 21, will enable two companies to operate amphibian air charter and taxi services on and from most North Island waterways, including Lake Taupo. James Aviation Ltd., of Hamilton, may operate from all waterways north of a line drawn through the south end of Lake Taupo. N.Z. Tourist Air Travel Ltd., of Auckland, may operate from Mechanics Bay, Auckland, to most North Island waterways. James Aviation Ltd., was also licensed to run a nonschedule land-plane passenger service covering Kinleith, Kawerau and Auckland, based on Rotorua. For N.Z. Tourist Air Travel Ltd., Mr L. F. Moller nominated Russell, Dargaville, and all North Island lakes except Lake Rotorua, as bases. The Company hoped to fiy one party to, say, Taupo, then pick up another for Great Barrier or some other point before returning to Auckland. For James Aviation Ltd., Mr O. G. James said it was hoped to equip a de Haviland Beaver with floats and operate from the Rotorua lakes, Taupo, Waikaremoana and other North Island lakes. At holiday times the plane would spend two or three days at Waikaremoana and other places taking passengers for flights. Mrs K. O. White, secretary, Rotorua Tourist League, said an air service "from the fishing lakes would greatly benefit visiting sportsmen. Called as a witness by N.Z. Tourist Air, Travel Ltd., Mr S. N. Lowe, proprietor of Onslow House private hotel, Taupo, said that of 700 overseas visitors in his care each year many mentioned the adviseability of an air service for Lake Taupo. Auckland and Hawke's Bay businessmen were enthusiastic. Mr S. A. McNamara, Conservator of Wild Life, Rotorua, said he was instructed, by the Internal Affairs Department to support the application. The service would fill a demand regularly made by tourists, overseas and local. He had no doubt the service would be .working to capacity in 18 months. Mr McNamara also stated that he envisaged large overseas flying-boats taking tourists direct to the western bays of Taupo. The Auckland company, said its counsel, was formed by Southland businessmen, who owned a Grumman Widgeon amphibian capable of carrying five passengers, and they were negotiating for an 8-seater Grumman Mallard amphibian.