SETTLERS BY AIRCRAFT

Press, Issue 29236, 21 June 1960, Page 17

SETTLERS BY AIRCRAFT

83 Arrive In Wet At Harewood

Eighty-three Dutch settlers landed at Christchurch International Airport during a downpour of rain last night to be met by some 70 relatives and friends. A mechanical fault which forced the chartered K.L.M. Super Constellation to return to Sydney delayed their arrival in New Zealand—their new home, by just over 10 hours. Of the 83 passengers, 46 who will leave for North Island destinations, spent the night in city hotels, 37 are for the South Island and the city’s Dutch community now rises by 16. The aircraft which was due in at Harewood at 7.45 a.m. would have been met, had it arrived at that time, by quite a number of Dutch settlers who have already made their home in the Dominion and who clustered round the windows at the airport watching for the plane to arrive. A few minutes later, a notice was put on the information board to say the plane would be indefinitely delayed. After waiting a little longer most of the waiting crowd moved off Still a few of them waited until further news was given that the plane would not arrive until afternoon at the earliest.

Last night, in spite of bad weather, as the tired travellers moved into the terminal building they were warmly greeted by many of their fellow countrymen and women.