The car on the left was previously Newman Bros (NI) Ltd fleet no 6. Sister car no 7 was destroyed in a fatal accident at Matamau, just north of Dannevirke, not long after the end of WW2 while no 6 was finally wrecked at Gisborne in the 1970's. I have the radiator shell and some of the running gear. The Newman's fleet no's of the two 'short' cars in the photo, from the 1 to 5 series, are not known.
In 1937 Leslie Caleb Higgs (son of Billy Higgs) commenced his association with the Airways business. At that time there were approximately four Domine Aircraft arriving at Rongotai each day, and Mr Higgs used his fleet of seven passenger private hire Chrysler and cadillac cars to transport the passengers to the city terminal. As air traffic expanded, the need was found for larger vehicles and the above 10 and 12 seater Cadillac coaches were put on the run. In 1947, Rongotai was suddenly closed to larger aircraft and it was necessary to operate from Paraparaumu.
The car on the left was previously Newman Bros (NI) Ltd fleet no 6.
ReplyDeleteSister car no 7 was destroyed in a fatal accident at Matamau, just north of Dannevirke, not long after the end of WW2 while no 6 was finally wrecked at Gisborne in the 1970's. I have the radiator shell and some of the running gear. The Newman's fleet no's of the two 'short' cars in the photo, from the 1 to 5 series, are not known.
ReplyDeleteIn 1937 Leslie Caleb Higgs (son of Billy Higgs) commenced his association with the Airways business. At that time there were approximately four Domine Aircraft arriving at Rongotai each day, and Mr Higgs used his fleet of seven passenger private hire Chrysler and cadillac cars to transport the passengers to the city terminal. As air traffic expanded, the need was found for larger vehicles and the above 10 and 12 seater Cadillac coaches were put on the run. In 1947, Rongotai was suddenly closed to larger aircraft and it was necessary to operate from Paraparaumu.
Gail Higgs-West
decision@clear.net.nz