Air Transport In New Guinea

ALTHOUGH a cloud of uncertainty concerning future control and regula tion hangs over the aerial transport ser vices of New Guinea, there have been activity and new developments on the part of the principal parties concerned.

Messrs. Guinea Airways Limited have just sent two new Stinson planes to New Guinea, and have ordered three more —a Taifun, which has a pay-load capacity similar to the Stinsons (850 lb.), and two Lockheeds. One is a Lockheed Electra, with a pay-load of 3,400 lb., and the other is a Lockheed 12A, with a pay-load of 2,400 lb. Each is engined with two P. and W. Wasps, and each is capable of an air speed of 200 miles per hour.

Sydney-New Guinea Link

Meanwhile Sir Walter Carpenter has publicly announced his determination to start a weekly aeroplane service between Sydney and New Guinea in June. It is reported that the Commonwealth Depart ment of Defence has refused to give Messrs. Carpenter and Co. Ltd. permission to inaugurate this service on a variety

of grounds; and that Sir Walter Carpen ter is prepared if necessary to challenge the authority of the Defence Department in this matter. There are indications of lively developments.

Discussion and argument concerning the proposed merger of aerial transport in terests in New Guinea are still proceed ing. The matter is in the hands of the Federal Government, and many reasons for and against the merger plan have been advanced.

Up to date it appears that the honours rest with those who contend that some substantial measure of regulation of this important industry is necessary. Air transport is carried on now in nearly every country by powerful chartered com panies under Government control.

Over 40 Aircraft In New Guinea

Information has been sought by the Federal authorities concerning the num ber and value of the aeroplanes available in New Guinea for transport purposes: and the following summary, made from the details available, discloses the inter esting fact that there are over 40 aircraft in New Guinea, either operating or on order.

Rev. C. E. James, who at one time was a Methodist missionary in the Tongan Islands, died at Wahroonga, N.S.W., on May 15, aged 76.

Type. Age. Engines. Payoad (years) lbs.

Guinea Airways

Junker G31 . . . 5 3 5800 Ford 5AT . . . 5 3 3700 ". . . . . . . . . . 5 3 3700 Junker W34 . . . . 6 1 1800 " . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1 2000 Junker F13 . . . 6 1 1800 DH61 . . . 10 1 1800 Stinson 1 850 1 850 DH Fox Moth . . . . . 3 1 600 Moth . . . 7 1 350 Taifun 1 850 Lockheed Electra . . . New 2 3400 12A . . . New 2 2400

Holden’S Air

Transport

Ford 4AT . . . 5 3 2500 . . . 5 3 2500 DH50 . . . 10 1 1100 . . . 10 1 1100 Waco . . . 9 1 800 DH Moth . . . 7 1 350

Carpenter

Airways

DH Fox Moth . . . . . 3 1 600 . . . 3 1 600 . . . 3 1 600 DH Dragon Moth ... 2i 2 1400 . . . 2| 2 1400 ;; M . . . 2| 2 1400 Fokker Type . . . ... 8 3 1600 Reported Purchase Ford 5AT ... 5 3 3700

Stephens’ Service

Service

DH61... 10 1 1750 DH61... 10 1 1750 DH50 ... 10 1 1100 DH Hercules . . .10 3 3700 DH Hercules . . .10 3 3700

P.A.T. Service

Junker ... 6 1 1200 Fokker* ... 10 1 1400 DH50 ... 10 1 1100 DH50 ... 10 1 900 DH Moth 1 350 DH Moth ... 7 1 350

Mendham

Service

Avro-Avian . . . . ... 6 1 350 Spartan ... 10 1 300

Ray Parer

Fairey Fox 6 1 800

Centenary

Syndicate

Fairey Fox* . . . . ... 6 1 800 * Out of commission.