Preparations By P.A.A. and Imperial Airways
p. 10 · Read in the full issue
Transpacific Air Services
r:E aerial transport picture of the South and Central Pacific, which we may expect to see more clearly in the future, is beginning to take shape.
Six members of Pan American Airways technical staff arrived at Noumea (New Caledonia) at the end of May and com menced the installation of a flying-boat base at Nouville. It is still insisted, on behalf of Pan American Airways, that this base will be part of the route be tween Honolulu and New Zealand.
There is a general belief, however, that even if P.A.A. machines fly south from Honolulu to Canton Is. and Noumea, and then cut off at an angle towards Auck land, they sooner or later will fly the 700 miles between Noumea and Australia.
New Zealand
The Pan American Airways establish ment in Auckland is being maintained, and the P.A.A. meteorologist. Mr. E. B.
Buxton, arrived there at the end of May, and took charge of the P.A.A. weather-map organisation in that part of the Pacific.
Meanwhile, as indicated in the “P.1.M.” last month, British Imperial Airways steadily are making their pre parations for trial flights between Syd ney and Auckland, and Auckland and Suva. The latest official announcement is that it is probable that the new regu lar airmail between Sydney and New Zealand will commence in October.
Canton Island
A party of Americans has arrived at Canton Island and is busilv preparing there a suitable base for P.A.A. sea planes. There is a clear understanding now between Britain and the United States that all aeroplane and seaplane facilities which are provided by either nation at Canton Island for the use of its air transport, will also be available for use by the air transport of the other nation.
Singularly little has been published in the newspapers about the preparation of a base in Fiji for seaplanes and aero planes, but it is known that important plans are being given effect to. and it is probable that by this time next year the people of Viti Levu, and especially of Suva, will be well accustomed to the sight, not only of the great trans-ocean seaplanes, but also of large aeroplanes and seaplanes used as part of the new Pacific defence organisation.
Noumea Base To Cost 700,000
Francs
According to the “Bulletin du Com merce”. the estimated cost of creating, at Nouville. Noumea, New Caledonia, an
aviation base for the use of Pan Ame rican Airways is as follows;— Supply of electric light and power 110,000 francs.
Water installation, including motor pump and reservoir. .. 50,000 francs.
Building for officer in charge of T.S.P., postal officials and sub sidiary offices 160,000 francs.
Building to house meteorological service and equipment 80,000 francs.
Quarters for meteorological en gineer 20,000 francs.
Quarters for representative of the Administration 20,000 francs.
Quarters for T.S.F. assistant, meteorological assistant, doctor, inspector and Customs officials. 40,000 francs.
Building for T.S.F 90,000 francs.
Additional, in connection with lighting unit 40,000 francs.
The total of these works is 610,000 francs, plus a sum to the value of 90,000 francs, making 700,000 francs in all.