Reaches Australia

THE Solent flying boat that Trans Oceanic Airways plan to use on their Sydney-Port Moresby service arrived in Sydney from the UK in early April. Rewiring for certain naviga tional aids is now being undertaken in Sydney and the flying-boat should be ready for its first Port Moresby trip early in May, The Solent is a new type for Australia.

Passenger accommodation is built in two decks and there are in all three cabins— one on the upper deck where a large galley and pantry are situated, and two on the lower deck where there are also separate toilet and dressing rooms for men and women, and a promenade cabin complete with cocktail bar. Thirty-eight passengers can be accommodated.

TOA expect that the Solent will be used on their Sydney-Hobart service as well as on the New Guinea run.

Shipping Co. Interest in TOA In April the Clan Shipping Line com pleted negotiations for acquiring a major interest in TOA. and a passenger on the delivery flight of the Solent was the Hon.

Anthony Cayzer, son of Lord Rotherwick Chairman of Directors of the Clan Line.

Mr. Cayzer is himself a director and came to Australia in connection with their new TOA interests.

He said on arrival that the Clan Line recognised, as did all shipping companies, that in the next few years most ship passengers and a large quantity of cargo would be going by air. He said that his company was keen on the idea of getting some of the 50 million people, who now live in Great Britain, shifted to other Empire countries—so million people were too many for the small home islands, particularly in these days of international tension. He stated that TOA would operate air routes “overseas as well as around Australia.’’