SCENE FROM RANGITOTO.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 188, 11 August 1925, Page 7

SCENE FROM RANGITOTO.

OUT OF THE SKY.

AEROPLANES SCOUT ■ AHEAD

OUTSIDE THE BEACON BEFORE NOON.

The fleet of welcoming ferries and launches bearing sight-seers crowded round the Rangitoto beacon awaiting the coming of the visitors, and the first sign came to them out of the sky. While eyes were strained to pick up the first view of the Americans looming out of the mist to the east of Tiri Island, a vagrant glance discovered three aeroplanes in phalanx formation almost above the welcoming craft. They had stolen through the clouds. The aerojjlanes, keeping admirable formation, "Toyawed the channel till opposite Cheltenham Beach, and then cut across the headland to pick up the channel and follow it up past Queen's wharf. It was nearly ten minutes later before the turrets of the California loomed out of the mist, and in quick succession the eight battleships and three cruisers showed out plainly in close line formation. Meantime three more aeroplanes were released, and followed the first trio quickly up the harbour to the city. The sun shone out beautifully as the pilot was picked up by the Admiral's ship, the California, and the Fleet'made a Tjeautiful picture as they moved slowly in line, with the aeroplane from the California hovering now low, now high, above the fleet and the small craft. When the Fleet turned into the channel, the California's plane scouted about the line of ships and the edge of Rangitoto Island, while the others of the air fleet scouted round the reaches of the harbour near the city..