Air Operator

£3 Million

Purchase

Ansett Now Biggest Air Operator

MR. R. M. ANSETT will now longer have any reason “cut ANA to pieces” (f Aug., p. 23). The board of ANA considered a previous decision August, and Ansett Transport dustries Ltd. bought ANA as a ing concern for £3,300,000.

No reasons were advanced ANA’s change of front, althoug; was said when the original offer rejected that the ANA board not satisfied with the secur offered by Ansett’s. Other bui were in the field.

Ansett’s take over from AN fleet of four DC6B’s, two DC6’s, e DC4’s, three Bristol freighters; DOS’s, one DC4 freighter and helicopter.

At the time of the takeover, Ansett fleet was made up of t DC3’s, two Convair 340’s, one C vair 440 and two Sandringham ing-boats. On order were five C vair 440’s and three Lockhi Electra turbo-propeller airliners The only public statement! major importance made by Ans since the takeover was that the vices of the two organisations w be gradually integrated.

The purchase is considers triumph for Mr. Ansett’s bram rugged private enterprise.

No further announcement been made about further step establish a service to Papua- Guinea (which was turned dowr the Australian Dept, of • Aviation), However, with such a large l Ansett’s will likely have to seek outlets, unless it is proposed toe some of the ANA aircraft.

Recently 2,000 names were lected on a petition in P-NG Ing for another air-service.

Leper Man Visits Noumea: New Zea[?]

famous worker for South Pacific lepers"

P. J. Twomey, visited Ducos leper colo[?] New Caledonia. He is shown here (right Dr. Ferrar, medical superintendent of Photo: F. E. .