"AN EMPIRE PROJECT."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 291, 9 December 1931, Page 9

"AN EMPIRE PROJECT."

"WIZARD" SMITH'S ATTEMPT. WARM WELCOME TO CITY. MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER. Every part of the council chamber of the Town Hall was crowded at noon to-day-when the Australian racing driver, Mr. Norman ("Wizard") Smith and his party were given a civic reception. Confidence, that he would break the land speed record was expressed by all. speakers. On the platform were the Mayor, Mr: G.-W. Hutchison; Mr. and Mrs. Norman Smith; Mr. Don Harkness; Mr. J. H. Mbstyn, manager of the party; Mr. A: Grayson, president of the A.A.A.; Mr. M. H. Wynyara, motorists' representative on the Main' Highways Board; and Mr. H. J. Butcher, chairman of the Auckland Automobile Racing Club, which is controlling the attempt. The following telegram was received from the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes:—"l join with the citizens of Auckland in extending a cordial welcome to Mr. Norman Smith to-day. New Zealanders, along with their kinsfolk in Australia, will watch with keen interest his attempt to break the record, and he may be assured of our warm wishes for suecees." All-British. " You are to engage in the most important sporting event that has ever taken place in Australia or New Zealand," said the Mayor to Mr. Smith, after he had welcomed him to the city. "Jour reputation as a racing driver in Australia, and your previous achievements. in -New Zealand leave no doubt about iyour ability to achieve success, butiwhether you are successful or not, : we.admire yoiircourage and enterprise." People .knew of the high quality and tremendous power of the engine which would be used, continued Mr. Hutchison. They knew of , the skill and ability applied by Mr:. Harkness in designing 1 and building the car, and there was every confidence that Mr. Smith would be. successful. The event was in every way an Empire project, for. it was the first time that such an event had taken place with a British driver, a British designer, a British engine and car, and on British soil. When the record had been broken, England, Australia, and New Zealand would be able to join in the proud distinction of having contributed to-the result. '(Cheers.) .; - "We in New Zealand are fully alive to the immense value to the Dominion of. your visit from a publicity viewpoint," remarked '.the Mayor. "We know that the eyes of the world will be focussed on this land, and that great benefit will accrue from the .knowledge of the Ninety-Mile Beach. I feel that your modesty will not suffer by my reminding you that two previous successful aspirants for this title were honoured by the King, who is never slow to recognise- achievements that afford continued evidence of the enterprise, resource, and ability of The British people." The popularity which Mr. Smith Jind his party. had Avon on their 'previous visit to the Dominion was evidenced by the attendance at the- reception, said the: Mayor, and on behalf of the people present and the people of New Zealand he wished Mr. Smith complete success. On behalf of the Auckland Automobile Association and the motorists of the Dominion, Mr. A. Grayson, president of tho A.A.A. welcomed Mr. Smith and his party. Smiling, he remarked that it ■was hoped to have British drivers out here soon, so he appealed to Mr. Smith 'not to break the record by too much — to keep it under 300 miles an hour. "Greatest Confidence." ' Appearing nervous, the man who will attempt to drive liis car at 300 miles an hour, '.warmly thanked the people for their reception and paid a tribute to his engineer and designer. "Mr. Harkness has produced the best-built, best-designed and b'est-equipped car that has ever made an. attempt on the record," said Mr. Smith. "I have the greatest confidence of breaking the record. I want to thank the Auckland Automobile Association for the great assistance they have been. They are deserving of a great.deal of praise, not only from my point of view, but also from a national point of view. I feel sure. that I will be able to bring Lord Wakefield's trophy to New Zealand." Mr. Smith said he wanted to thank the British. Government, Mr. Fred H. Stewart, who had given financial help, and all those people who had assisted to make the attempt possible. "Two years ago when we were over here," said Mr. Harkness,' "people .were sceptical as to whether the Ninety-Mile Beach was suitable for such speed ' trials. But now I have seen it quoted all over the world that the beach is the best of all. It i.s probably the only beach where a 10-mile record could be attempted, and if that record is beaten, it will then be definitely recognised that the Ninety-Mile Beach is the one and only beach for record attempts." - The chamber resounded to three cheers for the speed party. .' .