Air Link

Ni Gets Weekly

With Sydney, Nz

ANEW weekly air service between Sydney, Norfolk Island and NZ was inaugurated on November 6, by Qantas Empire Airways Ltd.

The first flight carried the Aus tralian Minister for Territories (Mr. Paul Hasluck) and a party of press and travel-agency represent atives to NI.

By arrangement between the Australian and NZ Governments and the air companies, the Sydney - NI section is run wholly by QEA, but the NI-Auckland leg and re turn, run by the same com pany with the same aircraft, is made under charter to Tasman Empire Airways Ltd., as a replace ment of the NZ-NI service by National Airways Corporation which recently ceased.

A four-engined Skymaster, seat ing 40 passengers, now leaves Syd ney every Saturday at 11.30 pm, lands at NI at 6.15 am on Sunday and then departs for NZ, reaching Auckland at 11.45 am. Two hours later, the DC4 takes off for NI, arriving at 4.15 pm. Departing from Norfolk at 5.30 pm, it lands in Syd ney at 9.30 pm.

Fare from Sydney to Norfolk is £27/10/- single and £49/10/- return.

Air freight rate for general cargo is 4/5 per kilo (approximately 2/per lb).

Minister’S Brief Visit

Mr, Hasluck (Territories Minister), who was accompanied by Mr. J. E.

Willoughby, Assistant Secretary of

the Territories Department, spent the day with the NI Administrator, Brigadier H. Boyd Norman. They discussed Island affairs with mem bers of the Advisory Council and attended a meeting of the Commit tee which is planning the celebra tions next June to mark the centenary of the Pitcairners’ land ing on NI Press and travel representatives made a sight-seeing tour of the Island, arranged by the Tourist Bureau, sampling meals .at the two main guest-houses, “Lincoln Lodge” and “Oceanside.” They met members of the public at the RSL Hall and later were entertained by the Administrator at Government House.

Main purpose of the party’s visit was to acquaint Australian travel agents with Norfolk’s charm and facilities —the Islanders hope the new weekly service will mean that a larger number of Australian tourists will visit their little island.

In recent years, the tourist traffic has been one of Norfolk’s mainstay “industries,” but customers were mainly New Zealanders seeking warmth and the attractive Aus tralian exchange rate that works to their advantage. With a wealth of natural scenic attractions and a de lightful climate, NI could lure yearly, at least 1,000 Australians seek ing a semi-tropical holiday, if the Island were publicised and “sold” by travel agencies.

Need For Hotel

Practically all Norfolk residents are unanimous about the need for a first-class hotel to provide increased, good class accommodation for tourists. Australians, especially, seek something a little more lavish in the way of amenities and enter

tainment than what the pq guest-houses provide.

The Commonwealth Govern rightly inclines to the view thri provision of a hotel is a jot private enterprise. It is bee* however, that if a group of islsli could provide the hard coo finance and the promise of fim backing from Australian infix then Canberra would view thd posal favourably—but the firsts must come from the Islanders g selves.

The establishment of a i would have repercussions in r directions, not the least beim present set-up for the sale off through the Government Bone substantial part of the Admiii tion’s local revenue is deriveoe the monopoly sale of liquor, an advent of a licensed hotel pre ably would mean that the A istration would be forced tfi elsewhere for at least part : revenue.

Just where it would looMt question that causes some fun brows among NI Councillol view of the hubbub of protc the beginning of this yean Canberra proposed to raise adefij finance by increased import b t A New Zealand despatch! lished in August PIM, page ported that an officer of the!

Zealand Meteorological Servih been elected first vice-presid) the World Meteorological Orgi tion. The name of this off Dr. M. A. F. Barnett, mr.

Marsden, as stated. Both am ing figures in New Zealand sco; circles.