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arrangements.
I
However, no protest was forthcoming. therefore expressed some surprise at the choice of airline. In subsequent conversation the NCNA asked me if I thought they should tell Canton what was afoot. I said that indeed they should, since we wished to avoid any possible misunderstandings. They later confirmed that Canton was aware of the arrangement. Apparently Flying Tiger was the only cargo flight available and the original plans would not have involved staging through Taipei.
4.
Faced with the possibility that chicks for China were stopping in Taipei and might pick up all sorts of things on the way, I arranged for Special Branch to be on hand at the airport. I also told the Americans, with the suggestion that it was in all our interests to make sure that nothing went wrong.
5.
In the event, the flight from the United States was delayed. It arrived here a day late, having stopped only in Tokyo. The alleged reason was engine trouble. I suppose this was true, although I know that the American Consulate- General here suggested that some means should be found of avoiding Taipei. I hope they did not deliberately create the engine trouble, since delaying breeding chickens can, I am told, be a dangerous business. The experts claim that none are likely to survive a period of transport exceeding 48 hours. In fact these chicks exceeped the norm but the mortality rate was less than 1%.
6.
When the Flying Tiger aircraft and the Chinese Trident arrived on 4 May they were parked side by side on the cargo apron. The transhipment went extremely fast and there were no hitches. Nor indeed has there been any publicity.
I am told that the NCNA made it clear through their contacts that they did not wish anything about the operation to appear in the press.
7.
The NCNA later telephoned to thank me and all concerned for the help given by the Hong Kong authorities. So all ended happily; but I must admit that all sorts of thoughts about people counting chickens did go through my head before we heard that they had all, except about 60 out of 24,000, arrived safely in Canton.
8.
Another chick flight is due on 17 May. I believe they vere originally to have come by North West Airlines but, since they are on strike, Flying Tiger will again be used instead. This time, however, the schedule is so arranged that the aircraft will not pass through Taipei.
(D C Wilson)
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