Goldfields Aerial

Service

To the Editor.

Sir, —When perusing your June num ber I noted references to the aerial transport companies operating between the coast and the goldfields here, that may be misleading. So I would appre ciate the publication of this letter.

A table of the companies operating and the number and capacity of ma chines, at the moment of this writing, is given below:

Included in the two machines repair able for the P.A.T. is a Fokker F VII due to arrive in Port Moresby on July 17 from Holland.

This reveals the present total carry ing capacity of each company as fol lows: Bulolo Gold Dredging Co. (8.G.D.) 12,000 lb.

Capt. L. Holden 1,750 lb.

Pacific Aerial Transport (P.A.T.) 1,200 lb.

Guinea Airways (G.A.) 600 lb.

Capt. L. Shoppee 300 lb.

When the article was written Guinea Airways had an extra two machines serviceable, but, since then, one single engine Junker W 34 crashed at the Wau. The following day their three engine ’plane became disabled, which left them with two Moth ’planes to carry on the service.

Guinea Airways is referred to as the “premier” company. If it is meant that it was the first, may I quote also the following: I was the first to buy an aeroplane for this service, and I was also first to form a company for aerial freightage to the Wau.

Referring to Mr. A. E. H. Evans’ letter, I should like to point out that Capt. L. Holden is now freighting for Guinea Airways, at a sub-contract

price.

I should like to congratulate you and add my appreciation of your use ful and impartial publication.

I am, etc..

Ray Parer.

WAU, N.G., July 3, 1931. (We have published the above let ter, as it was written, in order that we may remove any feeling of injus tice from Mr. Parer’s mind. The fig ures he gives, however, while possibly correct on July 3, may give a wrong impression now. We understand, for instance, that some of the big Guinea Airways machines are now back in commission, and carrying on the nor mal service.

G. Airways. B.G.D. P.A.T.

L. Holden.

L. Shoppee.

Machines owned 8 2 4 1 1 Machines serviceable 2 2 1 1 1

Capacity of each, lb

Machines unserviceable at present, but cap- 300 6,000 1,200 1,750 300 able of repair 3 — 2 — — Machines completely lost or crashed 3 — 1 — —