INVITATION TO DUNEDIN

Evening Star, Issue 19890, 12 June 1928, Page 6

INVITATION TO DUNEDIN

FOR PACIFIC FLYERS LANDING GROUND AT GREEN ISLAND AERO CLUB OBTAINS OPTION OVER SITE. When it was announced from Sydney that the Pacific aviators intended continuing their flight to New Zealand the idea of bringing them to Dunedin at once entered the minds of some of our prominent citizens, and with this end m view a deputation representing the Expansion League, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Otago Aero Club waited on the Mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner) and asked him to send to Captain Kingsford Smith an invitation, on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, to include this city in his itinerary. Mr S. B. Macdonald (president of the Expansion League) pointed out that it was stated that Captain Kingsford Smith would visit other places than Christchurch, and it would be a great pity if he went North before coming south to Dunedin. The mayor at once fell in with tho suggestion, but raised the matter o) obtaining a suitable landing ground. 11 this could be obtained, he said that he would at once cable an invitation to the aviators to visit Dunedin. Messrs H. White and H. Outram, ol the Otago Aero Club, said that an excellent site for an aerodrome, over which the club now holds an option, was obtainable at Green Island. _ There had been considerable difficulty in finding a piece of land of sufficient dimensions to accommodate a machine of the size of Captain Kingsford Smith’s Southern Cross. The site at Green Island had been officially visited by Captain Findlay, officer in charge of the Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, who was communicated with by telephone last night by the secretary of tho Otago Aero Club, and be gave his assurance that he was quite in favour of this site, and Would do his best to persuade tbe aviators to visit Dunedin, Tho site comprises an area of fiftytwo acres, and is situated between fho Main South road and the Brighton road, and is bounded on one side by tbe Kaikorai Stream. It is at present known as Whitehaven Farm. Upon receiving this assurance th* mayor cabled as follows to Captain Kingston! Smith, Sydney:—“On behalf of the citizons of Dunedin, I offer sincere congratulations on tho successful flight of the Southern Cross, and extend to you and your companions a hearty invitation to visit ,this_ city. The Otago Aero Club is attending to arrangements for a landing ground, full particulars of which will await you on your arrival at Christchurch, Please advise if yon can come.” The Southern Cross is expected t® arrive in Christchurch on Friday.