Air Service

Fiji Likes Us

But Airfields are Wrongly Placed

THE successful establishment by Mr. Harold Gatty of Fiji Air ways, with the help of a Gov ernment subsidy, has altered the tempo of social and business life in the Colony—just as happened in New Guinea when local air services were introduced.

The two de Haviland Rapides are in constant service around the Fiji group, with one in reserve; and now Suva is in daily touch with all dis tant points, like Lautoka, Nadi and Labasa. A new airstrip has been constructed at Taveuni, and the coconut planters’ rich island has joined the happy family enjoying frequent air services.

Fiji, likes the new set-up. Mr.

Gatty wisely selected the cheery, helpful type of pilot that they know so well in New Guinea; and these young men already are not only the captains and navigators of the small planes—they are the cheerful postmen, meat-deliverers, weather reporters, guardians, medical ad visers and comforters for almost everyone along their routes. What ever the cost, Fiji Airways are there to stay.

As I could see it, however, the whole excellent service is hampered by two factors —there are not enough air-strips, and the air-strips gener ally are absurdly far from the towns.

Suva has to go 14 miles, to Nausori, to get an Airways plane.

The Lautoka airstrip is no less than six miles away; that at Labasa is 4 or 5 miles out in the canefields.

There often are only a couples of passengers ana a few parcels e per trip—yet buses and cars haves to be dragged away out to theses air-strips at each arrival and de parture—an obviously uneconomic arrangement.

In refusing to simply take whatd land is needed to establish air-stripss right beside these main centres—

paying reasonable compensation— the Fiji Government has been far too considerate of the feelings of the landowners. Suva should have its air-strip either at Suva Point, or up on the hills behind the town; and there is plenty of vacant land for a similar purpose within a mile of the Lautoka Hotel. It is ridicul ous that the transport of the future —air—should be heavily taxed in this way because a combination of over-sensitive officials and unhelpful landowners can create obstacles to the establishment of economically placed airfields.

Big Airport At Nadi

The suggestion—once strongly supported—that Fiji’s international, trans-Pacific airport should be at Suva seems to have been completely abandoned; and the Nadi airport now is being steadily improved.

There are between 800 and 900 people now servicing the airport, and they and their dependents make a community of 2,000 people.

Under the skilled and energetic direction of Mr. Barry Philp (who also has the Deuba Hotel) the once-criticised Mocambo has been turned into a modern hotel, with most of the amenities that inter national travellers expect.

Surrounded by gardens and lawns, it is right alongside the airport. iVhile the American-Australian air iners are being re-fuelled, the passengers stroll across for a first :lass Fiji luncheon or dinner.

Some two or three miles away, n the commercial township of Nadi, Northern Hotels Ltd. also provide i hotel of modern type; and there s another at Lautoka, 14 miles iway. This area, in the rough-and ough stage only a few years ago, low prides itself on modern equip ment and service.

The new club-romns for the air iort staff, overlooking the air-strip, re equal to anything in Fiji—cool punges, a bar of latest type, and— ight alongside—a very large and

ttractive swimming-pool.

New Zealand has had a lot to o with the planning and organisa lon of this big air-port, and most f the staff appear to be New Zea

mders.-

Rwr.

The Hon. Tupua Tamasese re amed to W. Samoa with his wife n September 15, after attending le Coronation of Queen Elizabeth, ■e was welcomed at the airport by le High Commissioner, Mr. Powles nd Mrs. Powles, the Hon. Malietoa, ishop Darnand, SM„ members of le Executive Council, Legislative ssembly, Fono of Faipule, mem srs of his family and a large athering of th- public. On the mowing day, Hon. Tamasese was elcomed officially at a King’s ava, presented at the Legislative ouncil fale at Mulinuu. While aroad he and his wife, as well as siting the UK and attending the eronation ceremony, visited the entinent.