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Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 115, 12 November 1930, Page 12

HOME AGAIN

NOTED RADIO MAN

TRIBUTE TO "SMITHY"

'SOMETHING IN THE AIR'

Snithy is £» wonderful chap—*he ' very best—and I would go anywhere in the world with him. There was no mistaking the enthusiasm underlying the tribute paid to Air Commodore Kingsford Smith by Wireless Operator J. W. Stannage, of th« T.S.S. Razmak, to-day. Mr. Stannage, whose youthful appearance scarcely seems to fit in with the great name h# has made for himself in the wireless world, was with Kingsford Smith on. his history-making flight across tho Atlantic, and his services as radio operator^ on that occasion, as well as his services on other big occasions, have placed him in the front 'rank of his chosen profession. But his achievements have not robbed him of that great asset, modesty, and to a,"Post?' reporter who saw him a few minutes after tho Razmak berthed at the Pip'itea Wharf he confessed his delight at being back in New Zealand. In admitting that, however, he did not hide tho fact that since he left New Zealand in January last he had had the time of his life. "It has all been a wonderful experience," he said, "and. I count myself a very fortunate man. in having had the honour of flying with Smithy, who is certainly tho 'daddy' of. all airmen. The flight across tho Atlantic was an unforgettable experience, and nothing that happens in the future will ever efface it. I was very lucky to be there, and luckier still to be there with such a chap as Smithy. I would follow him anywhere." "Any more flights fixed up yet?" queried the reporter. Mr. Stannage smiled. "Well, there's something in the air," he admitted, "but I can't say any moro than that at present." "And you'll be in it, I suppose?" "Like a shot, if the chance cornel my way," was the enthusiastic reply. FUTURE PLANS. Discussing his future plans, Mr. Stannage said he was anxious to settla down to work again, and was hopeful that he would be able to remain in the Union Company's service, preferably" on the Razmak, or Monowai, as she will be known in the future. "I don't want a holiday," he said.. "I've had enough of that. What I want is hard work." Mr. Stannage is a New Zealander, and before leaving for England his people lived in Wairoa. His parents went to England for • a holiday, and they iiked it so much that they decided to settle there. However, they have now changed their minds and will shortly return to New Zealand. Mr. Stannage was not at all impressed with the English climate, and is glad to get back to "good old New Zealand." LIFE OF ADVENTUBE. Mr. Stannage's. life so far has been full of advfnturc, and there is probably more to come. He received his wireless training in Wellington, and ho has been with the Union Company for • some years. Ho was wirelesc operator on the Manuka when that vessel wa3 wrecked off tho South Island in December, 1929. His first aieeting with Kingsford Smith took placo when Smith, and his companions on the Southern. Cross wore lost in the wilds of Australia. Mr. Stannage was wireless operator on the Canberra, which found the missing airmen. It was then that Mr. Stannage received the offer to accompany Kingsford Smith on the transAtlantic flight, and in order to accept this he secured extended leave from the Union Company. He joined Kingsford Smith in England. y«-Mr. Stannage's services on the great flight won. tho highest commendation not only from Kingsford Smith but from the wireless world generally, and he was awarded the certificate of honour of tho Veteran Radio Operators' Association, a distinction which is internationally r«.cognised. After the flight, he re'eeived all sorts of tempting offers to remain in America and England, but the call of his native land was too strong, and he elected to return to New Zealand. Soon after the Kazmak was tied up to-day, Mr. Stannage was ' enthusiastically welcomed by a number of friends, aud he was kept busy relating tho experiences which had befallen him since he left New Zealand. Mr. Stannage, will probably be standing by the Eazinafc during her period of overhaul, and he hopes to be appointed wireless operator of the new Monowai.