FLYING BOAT BASE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 397, 2 April 1937, Page 6

FLYING BOAT BASE.

SURVEY AT AUCKLAAD. No Decision Yet. Press Association —Copyright. Auckland, April 1. A eomprehentive survey of the Waitemata harbour with the object of selecting a site for the proposed fly-ing-boat base was made to-day by Captain Musick', commander of the Pan-American clipper, and officers of the- company. Arrangements were also made for the clipper’s courtesy flight to Wellington to-morrow and for her final departure on Saturday morninig for San Francisco.

In the inspection of possible base cites both land and harbour views were obtained of the suggested localities. Mr. Horold Gatty, representative of Pan-American Airways in New Zealand, accompanied -Captain Musick and the other officers- to the summit of Mount E-dtn. Conditions were idfial for a panoramic view of the harbour and itu approaches, and the party v. as able to pick out various landmarks and establish their relationship to possible areas' which may be used as the southern terminal of the trans-Paeific air line

Subsequently the party drove along Waterfront Road and then cruised down the harbour in the Auckland Harbour Board lauich. Various details were discussed, but reccmmendations where the proposed base should be situated must be submitted to the head office ot the company at New York before any decision can be announced. The company’s. experts who made the inspection agree that a base should the upper harbour would be out of the question and. that the site to be selected must be cue ot several to the east of the vtbarves. This view conforms with that of othc-.r expects who have previously given attention to t.he matter. While the harbour inspection was -being made the other members ot the lerew ot the clipper, assisted by aircraftsmen from the Hobsonville air ibase and oil company experts, were putting the finishing touches on the giant flying-boat tn preparation for the flight to Wellhieton. The clipper iwas berthed alongside a floating barge in Mechanics Bay and was the scene ot constant activity throughout -the morning. A’ number of possengelrs Will be the guests of. the company on the flight to Wellington. They will include Wing-Commander the Hon. R. A. Cochrane, chief of the air staff, who larvlved at Auckland to-day, WingCommander T, M. Wilkes, SquadronLeader Buckley, the Solocito.r-General Mr. H. H. Collnish, who played a pro minent part in the negotiations which l“d to the, agreement between PanAmerican AircUays ahd the New Zealand Government, dr. D. Holderness superintenclenlt of ihe Auckland Harbour ROard, Dr. Macky, of the Gov ernmont me-teoroloAical office. Mr. F. M. Clarke-, general manager of Union Airways Ltd., and Mr. T. s Withers, v-'ho has acted as personal assistant, to Mr. Catty at Auckland. Mr. Gatty will also- travel in the clipper.