NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 80, 28 December 1940, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN

Rousing Welcome At Calgary

LETTER FROM CANADA

The arrival at Calgary, Alberta, Canada, of the first group of Australian and New Zealand men to train in the Service Flying Training School and the Wireless Training School is recorded iu a letter from Mrs. E. Hunt, Calgary, formerly Miss Haybittle, of Wellington, daughter of the late Mr. F. Haybittle. “The men received au enthusiastic welcome,” writes -Mrs. Hunt. “Excitement was added as Calgary had the first fall of snow this season on the day they arrived, and many of them had never seen snow before. They lost no time in staging a snow fight. I attended the reception given the new arrivals, and a tea given the next day by Mrs. H. H. Sharpies, an Australian woman. Mrs. Sharpies greeted them all at the door and handed over the New Zealanders to me, and it fell to my lot to introduce them to the other guests. It was a heart-warming sight to see them file into the house, so tall and with those ruddy complexions that Australians and New Zealanders Lave. “Wonderful Reception.”

“I asked them how’ they liked Canada, and they replied saying they had been given a wonderful reception in Vancouver, and were very much impressed with what they had seen of the Rocky Mountains on the way to Calgary. So far everyone had given them a ‘jolly good time.’ “One Australian, when asked how they got along with the Canadian cadets, said they were 'decent coves,’ a word new to Canada. They had a grand trip on the boat, and were treated very well. They were ti little disappointed that they could not land at Honolulu, but that being American and neutral territory it was not permitted. Several of the boys I met were from Wellington, and they were delighted to meet someone from their home town so far away. “Many of the party were Maoris. The local Calgary paper said 'they were considered to be the most intelligent aborigine race in the world.’ Of the party the New Zealanders were air gunners, and the Australians were wireless men. air gunners and pilots. On their arrival the Australians sang the national air, 'Advance Australia,’ and the New Zealanders, not to be outdone, 'provided some chanting of their own,’ which was how the local paper described the haka. Met at the Station.

The contingent was met at the station by a number of Royal Canadian Air Force officers, including Wing Commander A. D. Ross and Wing Commander A. 11. K. Russell. The Calgary air force men gave the newcomers a rousing welcome. Continuing a description of the welcome the Calgary paper, after remarking that the mon had just finished one winter down under, and were now to face another in Canada, said: The lads from under the Southern Cross had their mufflers wrapped tight round their necks aud coat collars turned up. Though few had seen snow before, it did not take them long to find oirt what to do with it. Civilians pitched snowballs at the lads, and got them back in exchange. Sunday, on sth Avenue, the hoys were still skirmishing, and at barracks it was said it wasn’t wise to poke your head, out of 'the covers, as the Australians had brought piles of snow indoors. “ ‘They like Canada, these New Zealanders and Australians, even if they do find it a bit on the cold side,’ said the ‘Calgary Herald.’ ‘Said one New Zealander, “I wish you would tell Canadians I hat what impressed us most about Canada were ’the Rocky Mountains and the kindness of the people.” ’ ”