AERIAL MAILS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1921, Page 2

AERIAL MAILS.

THE SOUTHERN SERVICES. POSTAGE AND PASSENGER RATES. On Monday next the first aerial mail carried in the South Island, will be inaugurated between Christchurch and Timaru. It will be a daily service, with the exception of Sundays, the aeroplane leaving the aerodrome at Sockburn early in the morning and returning in the early afternoon. The provisional time-table is as follows:—Outward: Mails close Christchurch G.P.0., 7.30 a.m.; aeroplane leaves Sockburn, 8 a.m.; arrives Ashburton, 8-40 a.m.; leaves Ashburton 9 a.m.; arrives Timaru 9.40 a.m. Inward: Mail closes Timaru 11.30 a.m.; aeroplane leaves Timaru noon; arrives Ashburton 12.40 p.m.; leaves Ashburton 1 p.m.; arrives Sockburn 1.40 p.m- The rate of postage will be Gd for every four ounces, with an extra charge of 6d if immediate delivery by special messenger is required. The contract between the Government and the Canterbury Aviation Company, will run for three months from January 31, and it is .understood that the service will be more of a trial run than anything else. The general conditions governing the contract are those covering other mail contracts in New Zealand, but any special points that may crop up will be decided in accordance with the British practice in regard tn aerial mails. A passenger service will he conducted on the postal aeroplanes. The following sale of fares has been fixed by the Aviation Company:— Single. Return £ s. £ Christchurch to Ashburton 2 10 5 Ashburton to Timaru 2 10 5 Christchurch to Timaru ..50 9 Avro aeroplanes with 110 h.p. Le Rhone engines, of the type used in the Wellington and Invercargill flights, will be used for the commencement of the Timaru service, but D.H.G. machines are being rigged at Sockburn, and will be available if necessary. The Avro machines will carry two passengers in addition to the pilot, and the D.H.G.’s will take three passengers. It is thought that the Timaru service will provide useful data in anticipation of the Christchurch-Blenheim service which will be commenced soon.