Description
New Zealand 1931 Gisborne – Hastings first flight pilot signed printed cover. Air Mails of New Zealand p28-29.
Specially printed cover cancelled Hastings 10MR31, backstamped Hastings 10MR31. Authentication cachet on rear.
Following the liquidation of Dominion Airlines Limited a company was registered Gisborne Air Transport Limited and the new Gisborne to Hastings daily weekday service was inaugurated on 10 March 1931. The DH Moth Coupe left Gisborne at 0645 piloted by Flt Lt W H Lett and landed at Hastings at 0800. This was the first of 590 flights over the route before operations ceased in December 1932. A charge of Six Pence per cover was made by the pilot for signing letter and only signed letters were carried. These totalled 180 in each direction.
