GREAT ENTHUSIASM

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 56, 15 September 1928, Page 10

GREAT ENTHUSIASM

FUNCTIONS AT',BLENHEIM (By Telegraph.— Press Association.) BLENHEIM, 14th September. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith, Flight-Lieutenant Ulm, and Messrs. Litchfield and M'Williams, accompanied by Captains Findlay and Buckley, were welcomed-by on enthusiastic crowd of 500p when they landed at the Blenheim municipal aerodrome this after-

noon in three Bristol lighters in tho first stage of what bids to bo a.triumphal aerial tour of New Zealand. The scenes that accompanied the historic landing of the Southern Cross at Wigram Aerodronio " were reproduced here on a smaller scale, and the airmen wore overwhelmed by the warm nature of their reception. After landing at 4.46.the ilyers were accorded : a civic welcome by the Mayor and chairman of the Marlborough County Council, also by the president of the Marlborough Aero Club. Squadron-Lea dor Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm, in the courso of their replies, heartily con-' gratuiatcdßlenheim on its untcrpviso ' iv forming .an aero club, declaring 1 hat no other town of its size in Australia and New.Zealand'had1 shown such progressiveness; .they.would be glad, they Ma id, if. their visit . had assisted tho movement in any way.. In the ' evening tlic visitors were guests at a Mayoral diiuioi-j when again great enthusiasm was evidenced by a gathering representing all tho local bodies of the province. High tributes were paid to their courage in blazing the long air trails across the Pacific and tho Tasman. Representations were made by several local speakers that tho airmen should take advantage of the excellent taking-off facilities offered by at. least two huge flat paddocks near Blenheim. In reply, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith expressed deep interest in the suggestion advanced, stating that the facilities offered, already had been brought to their notice, and if the field in Marlborough suited their requirements they . would seriously consider tho possibility of leaving thence for the return over the Tasman from this area. A departure from Marlborough would reduce the journey by two hours, which, in view of the fact that they anticipated encountering a head wind going back, would bo an important consideration. . He most certainly would inspect the fields on his way back to Christchureh with a view to taking off from Marlborough for Australia. After the function the flyers visited a picture theatro to witness the first screening of the films of the arrival at Christchurch. One machine, in landing damaged its tail-skid, but it is expected to bo repaired by tho morning.