TASMAN FLIGHTS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 10, 13 January 1933, Page 8

TASMAN FLIGHTS

TARANAKI AS TERMINAL

KINGSFORD SMITH'S VIEW

WELL SITUATED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, 12th January.

A complimentary- dinner was tendered Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, and his companions by the New Plymouth Aero Club to-night. Many members of North Island aero clubs' and representatives of Taranaki institutions were present to honout the three members of the crew and the two passengers. The Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths, in proposing the toast of the evening, said that Sir Charles's decision to wake New Plymouth the first landing place in New Zealand was influenced by its geographical situation and the fact that there was such a land mark as Mount Egmont. In reply, Sir Charles said that when Tie decided to come to New Zealand he tried' to land at the nearest possible point. Cape Egmont was closer than anywhere else. Taraiiaki was in a fine position geographically, in being so close to Australia, and would be the ultimate terminal in the trans-Tasman service that was bound to be established. It might be ten years or longer, but it would ultimately come. He paid a tribute to the crew and to the ground mechanics, who made, the job so easy. The Cory-Wright Navigation Cup, open for competition among members of all the New Zealand aero clubs, was presented by Sh- Charles' to Mr." E. Meredith, pilot of the New Plymouth club. . ■■■-.■ _The Southern Cross will make a flight of a hundred miles round Mount Egmont on Saturday morning, and will leave on Monday for Eotorua. •