SLIP VICTIMS FLYING HIGH

Press, 21 August 1979, Page 1

SLIP VICTIMS FLYING HIGH

PA Auckland Seventy-four Abbotsford youngsters arrived at Auckland Airport last evening, leaving their landslide-ravaged suburb far behind. Breezy and bright-faced, the same children who 12 days ago fled their homes as the mudslip closed in were last evening chattering excitedly about the week-long holiday arranged for them. ‘Tire zoo, that’s where I want to go,” said one girl,

aged eight. “The giraffes and the elephants ... hope we can go tomorrow.” Some of her friends, heads buried in comics, agreed: the zoo was the place to go. Waiting for the buses which were to take them to meet their billets, some of the children commented about the damp Auckland weather. “Gee, the sun was shining in Dunedin when we left,” said one boy. But he added, “The trip is real beaut. I have never been

on a plane before.” Ranging in age from six to 17, ail the youngsters were excited by the prospect of spending a week in a large city. All were impressed by the generosity shown to them by the holiday’s organisers, Air New Zealand, IZM, and the Auckland City Council. When asked if he was going to miss his parents one boy was quick to reply, “It will be good to get mum and dad off my hands for a few days.”

Although many of the children had flown before most had not visited Auckland. Apart from visiting the zoo other holiday activities will include a mayoral reception tomorrow, a harbour cruise on Sunday, and free trips to the museum and the cinema. The programme director of IZM (Mr John Bergin), who flew to Dunedin yesterday to meet the children, said they would be granted free access to almost anything they want

to see in Auckland. The children will be billeted with Auckland families who responded to the radio station’s appeal for hosts. More than 1000 offers were received. The children have been matched with families similar to their own. They will return to Dunedin next Monday. Another group of Abbotsford children will spend the last week of the school holidays in Walmate as guests of the Waimate Rotary Club.