Mr Nordmeyer’s Plane Too Heavy

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 16

Mr Nordmeyer’s Plane Too Heavy

(New Zealand Press Association)

DARGAVILLE, Nov. 12. Telephone lines were running "hot” in Dargaville today when the leader of the Labour Party (Mr Nordmeyer) failed to touch down on the runway in his Cessna at noon as expected by Dargaville party officials who awaited him. Scheduled to deliver an address in Dargaville at 2 p.m., Mr Nordmeyer touched down about 1.20 p.m., by which time the local party officials had returned to their homes to make telephone inquiries. The "reception committee” for Mr Nordmeyer and his party on arrival was the Mayor, Mr S. S. Green, who by instinct or by some mysterious channels of communication, was on the right spot at the right time. Waiting at the aerod. -me earlier were Messrs O. W. Hill and P. Vezich, president and vice-president respectively of the Dargaville branch of the party. Waiting in the Northern Wairoa Hotel was luncheon for the official visitors. When Mr Nordmeyer’s Cessna had not arrived some time after noon, a call to Whenuapai revealed the plane was scheduled to arrive at Whangarei at 12.8 p.m. This was contrary to information given to local party officials. Calls were made to Labour officials in Whangarei in a bid to track down the Leader of the Opposition, but without success. The explanation was given while Mr Nordmeyer and his party were having a late lunch at the hotel. It was considered the 1-len plane was too heavy for the Dargaville runway to accommodate it and plans were made for its arrival at the

Onerahi aerodrome at Whangarei. As Mr Nordmeyer was to speak in Whangarei tonight baggage was unloaded there and the flight to Dargaville was resumed.