UNSAFE AT PRESENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 August 1938, Page 8

UNSAFE AT PRESENT

FLYING=BOAT MOORINGS IN WELLINGTON ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE. development of aircraft MAY CHANGE POSITION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An opinion that at present it would be unwise to attempt the regular operation of flying-boats from Wellington Harbour is expressed by the committee set up by the Government to investigate the possibilities of Wellington as a terminal for the trans-Tasman air mail “service. The report of the committee, released by the Minister of Defence (the Hon T. Jones) for publication today, states that an examination of meteorological conditions in Wellington Harbour shows that the strength of the wind frequently exceeds that regarded as a safe maximum. Moreover, the only area in which flying-boats could be moored is liable to exceptional gustiness and turbulence in northerly winds. The committee, of which Mr J. Wood, Erigineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department, is chairman, is of opinion that there are many days in the year when flying-boats would be unable to move from their mooring, while in strong northly gales flying-boats lying in Evans Bay would do so under conditions of considerable risk. At the same time, the committee wishes to draw attention to the rapid develop ment of marine aircraft, and expresses the view that the time may not be far distant when they may be able to operate under weather conditions such as arc- met with in Wellington Harbour.