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Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19851, 12 February 1930, Page 16

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RECEPTION TO CHICHESTER ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES IN WELLINGTON. [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, February 11. \s was stressed in the speeches made to-day in honour of Mr Francis Chichester, tho first New Zealander to use his own machine m a flight the world has talked about, the achievement of the long solo trip from England to Australia, has madeadeep impression- on the public's imagination as being a pioneering piece of aviation work nutting New Zealand before the world "in a strong light. His reception wlien ho landed from the Maunganm was most demonstrative. Crowds lined the routo of tho procession,- interest beinc divided between the plucky {.viator and tho flimsy looking httle machine that did the work. ch £ e " were frequent, and in the Town Hall the speeches and enthusiasm were worthv of tho subject. . , . In his brief reply, Mr Chichester .<.:ud he hoped that he would have a chance of a second attempt at the trio with better results. The weather was too boisterous for aeroplanes to meet the Mnungartui at son, and none went up. The wharves wore denselv packed with people. Mr Chichester was officially welcomed after the personal greetings at the gangway by the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup) and the president of the Wellington Aero Club (Mr T. C. A. Hislop). Cheers and musical honours over, Mr Chichester led a procession, which was closed with the aeroplane, through Customhouse quay, Willis street, Manners street, and Lower Cuba street, to the Town Hall. Cheers and personal grecting-i were given the aviator by thousands all along the road, where traffic was temporarily stopped, and mnnv were unable to enter the Town Hall, where a huge gathering, including manv ladies, had been waiting for .some time.

With Mr Chichester on his right hand and the Minister for Railways (tho Hon. W. B. Taverner) representing the Government, on his .left, the Mnvor presided over a tumultuously enthusiastic feathering. He read apologies from the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), who congratulated the airman on the wonderful performance he had achieved, extended a hearty welcome to him back to his native town and his own land, and honed soon to have the pleasure of meeting him personallv: from the Leader of the Opposition (the Rt. Hon J. G. Coates). and Mr Dunderdnle. president of the Wairarana Aero Club.

"On behalf of the Government," said Mr Taverner, "I desire to extend to you very hearty congratulation's, together with the hone that vour future career as a flying man will brine added honours to yon in other cities than •Wellington, and in other countries besides New Zealand.''

Mr who -was prented with cheers, thanked them all for their o;reat welcome, which like the welcome hs had received in Australia, had been a great surprise to him. "When I left England," he said. "T 'oft it with the intention of petting homo again, but when I reached Australia and got ?uch a tremendous reception T felt very glad I was n New Zealander. I am only sorry I did not do better, and I hopo some day that I will be able to have another shot at it. I would like to thank you again very much. I am afraid I am not much good at speaking."