SUDDEN END TO TOUR

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29772, 15 March 1962, Page 15

SUDDEN END TO TOUR

Australians Flown Home

Plans for what was to have been a leisurely visit to Hanmer Springs for about 70 Australian infantrymen yesterday were rapidly Changed when it was learned, not long after their departure in three coaches from Bumham Military Camp, that the aircraft to take them back home was due to land at 10 am. The Australian party had not been expecting to leave for Australia until 10 a.m today, and arrangements were made for the troops to spend yesterday sightseeing.

The coaches left Burnham about 8.30 a.m. Not long after 9 am. a message was received at Southern Military District headquarters from the Royal New Zealand Air Force station. Wigram, to say that a Hercules of the Royal Australian Air Force was due to land at Christchurch airport at 10 a.m. It was to be ready to fly out again at noon with the remainder of the Australian contingent aboard The first contingent of about 60 left Harewood on Tuesday. The Army immediately alerted the Transport Department and the police and the policeman at Waikari stopped the coaches when they arrived and relayed the message. The coaches raced back to Burnham where lunch was waiting for the Australians. The troops were taken to Harewood in time to leave in the Hercules at 2.30 p.m. The chief of staff at Southern Military District headquarters 'Lieutenant-Colonel R. A. Tinker) went to the airport to see them off.