TARANAKI AIR SERVICE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 449, 3 June 1937, Page 6

TARANAKI AIR SERVICE

COMMENCEMENT THIS MONTH Scale Of Fares Announced Union Airways Wellington-Auck-land via Taranaki service will begin on June 26, circumstances permitting, and schedule running will begin the following day. The starting date has been authorised by the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Transport. A two-way daily service, including Sundays and holidays, will be provided by Lockheed Electras model 10A, now being assembled at the Hobsonvilte air base, Auckland. These allmetal machines are fitted with constant speed propellers, carry a crew of two pilots with complete dual control, and 10 passengers, besides having ample accommodation for freight and mails. They are capable of a speed of 210 miles an hour and cruise at 185 miles an hour. The trip between Auckland and Wellington, including stops of 10 minutes at Palmerston North and New Plymouth, will occupy three hours.

The time table, which shows that the planes will cross in southern T'aranaki, is:— Northbound. Leave Wellington 12.00 noon Arrive Palmerston North . 12.38 p.m. Leave Palmerston North 12.55 p.m. Arrive New Plymouth ... 1.46 p.m. Leave New Plymouth ... 1.56 p.m. Arrive Auckland 3.00 p.m. Southbound. Leave Auckland 12.00 noon Arrive (New Plymouth .... 1.4 p.m. Leave New Plymouth ... 1.14 p.m. Arrive Palmerston North .. 2.12 p.m. Leave Palmerston North . 2.22 p.m. Arrive Wellington 3.00 p.m. A comparison a ' r an( l railway fares follows. The second figure in the railway column is the return fare, the return fares by air being exactly double singles fares. New Plymouth to—

Following the usual practice of Union Airways, the air-liners are equipped with two-way radio telegraph and telephone. Aeradio stations at Auckland, New Plymouth and Palmerston North will be equipped with the latest type of transmitter with remote control, enabling the pilots to be in communication with the aerodrome. Other direction-find-ing equipment, as recommended by the aeradio committee recently, is being installed by the Government as soon as the apparatus becomes available. Freight and excess baggage rates are: New Plymouth-Auckland, 6d per lb; New Plymouth-Palmerston North. 6d per lb; New Plymouth-Wellington; 8d per lb; Auckland-Palmerston North 9d per lb; Auckland-Wellington, Is per lb; Wellington-Palmerston North, 6d per lb. An application by Union Airways for a passenger road service license from New Plymouth to the airport will come before Mr P. O. Skoglund, No. 2 authority, at New Plymouth on June 14.

£' s £ s '£ s Wellington 3 10 1 12 3 0 Auckland 3 1 18 3 12 Palmerston N. 2 1 1 1 19 Auckland to— Palmerston N. 5 2 3 4 1 Wellington 6 2 14 5 2 Wellington toPaimerston N. 1' to 11 1 1