AEROPLANE TAINUI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 285, 1 December 1934, Page 10

AEROPLANE TAINUI.

NEW ARRANGEMENTS.

PROTEST BY CAPTAIN lIEWETT

The acyoplane Tainui, which flew from England to New Zealand, piloted by Captain J. D. Hewett and Mr. C. E. Kay, is to be made available for passenger flights in Auckland to-morrow. It is understood that the pilot will be Mr. D. M. Allen, instructor of the Auckland Aero Club.

An official of the air race committee said that, owing to circumstances which had been regretted by the committee, while the major portion of their support had been derived from the Auckland city and province, 110 opportunity had yet been available hero to take passenger flights, with the exception of one which was undertaken 011 November 18. This was due to the fact that a great deal of work had to be accomplished in a very short time, consisting as it did of the removal of the tanks and the installation of many fittings which were not required to be used ill the flight from England to New Zealand. It was a matter of gratification to the committee that arrangements had been completed with the Aero Club for passengers to be carried to-morrow, and the usual display of aerobatics would be staged by the Aero Club.

" Making Fools of Us." "They are hoodwinking the public and making fools- of us," said Captain J. D. Hewett, this morning when referring to the action of the Centenary air race committee. "Both Kay and I are at a loss to know the reason for the committee's action." he continued. "We have been made fools of and put 'off side' with the people in the North." Captain Hewett said that arrangements had been made for the Taintii to be at Kaikohe on a certain day, and the Kaikohe people had been informed at the last minute that, owing to damage to the 'plane, it could not be flown, but on the same day it had been flown at Hawera and passenger flights made there. "The damage done at Palmerston North was repaired a week before the date fixed for Kaikohe, and the 'plane was at Mangcre being upholstered. To tell the Kaikohe people that the 'plane could not po there 011 account of damage only made fools of both of us." Captain Hewett and Mr. Kay went to Hamilton by train this morning at the invitation of the South Auckland Air Carnival Association, in the capacity of spectators.