TASMAN FLIGHT

Evening Star, Issue 20688, 10 January 1931, Page 13

TASMAN FLIGHT

BIG WELCOME AT GREYMOUTH [Per United Press Association.] GREYMOUTH, January 9. Mr Guy Menzies, the Tasman flight hero, arrived at Grey mouth by motor car at 5.30 p.m. eu route from Hokitika. A stop was made at Kumara, where the citizens presented Mr Meuzies with twelve gold nuggets, tho mayor (Mi Spiers) making the presentation in the presence of the town’s whole population. A largo Gre.ymonth croud met Mr Menzies on his arrival, and brief addresses were given from the balcony of his hotel by' the mayor (Mr Greenslade) and Mr J- O’Brien, M.P., cor diaJly welcoming Mr Menzies and con* gratulating him on his memorable feat in flying the Tasman alone. Mr Menzies briefly acknowledged the reception, and later in the evening was tendered a formal civic reception at tho Town Hall, which was packed. The airman was given a rousing reception on entering tho hall. Mr Greenslaclo introduced Mr Men zies to the crowd, and said that the townspeople were glad to welcome the gallant solo flyer of the Tasman, realising that tiio achievement was of world-wide interest, and very important for the West Coast. Tho airman had great stuff in him, and the feat further united the two sister 'dominions. Tho crowds at the coast towns spoke volumes for the importance attached to the flight, and showed their recognition of its bearing _ on the development of the commercial highways of the future. Mr O’Brien said that he was proud to welcome a fellow countryman who had hopped the Tasman. Others had said that it could not be done in a light plane. Mr Menzies had actually done it—ar. astonishing feat. It was characteristic of the Australian that Mr Menzies had set off witli only twenty-six shillings in his pocket. In reply, Mr Menzies said that for a year past he had had the idea of the flight, bur could see no way of doing it until be set eyes on “Smithy’s” plane, which he realised was just the one. It was designed for such work by tho owner, and in that respect differed from other planes coming out to Australia. Mr Mairs, of Sydney, said he had been going weekly through the weather charts of the Tasman for mouths. Smith did not know for what purpose ho wanted the plane, and the flight had surprised him. Before leaving ho rang his brother to let him know his real destination, but for others he only left letters. He was told the first fifty miles would be had, but it was good, and then bad weather began. Ho haa proved that a light plane could do tho journey, and lie favoured their uso. It was a tiring flight, and especially near Now Zealand it was worrying He had hoped to cross _in ton hours, but weather delayed him. After landing lie did not look at tho bus, and he bad not had a moment since, so eager were people to meet him. Ho saw only a few people walking at Okanto. The ground looked good at a place at Herepo, and ho only realised it was a swamp when it was too late to rise again. In a great welcome tho public demanded tho airman’s appearance outside tho bal;. and later his health was toasted in the Civic Chamber. Mr O’Brien toasted his parents and tho magistrate (Mr Meldrum) his brother, who kept the secret so. well. • Later Mr Menzies was the guest at a bail, and was ipresented with a gold clock. Earlier ho was the recipient of a cheque from the Greyraouth public. He will leave to-morrow for Christchurch. The plane is being dismantled for railing to Wigram. Questioned regarding the change of course, Mr Menzies said that it was not correct to say that the wind and weather had taken him off his course to tho southward. Ho had himself altered his course in order that the wind should not obstruct his progress. Had ho persevered in his original course the petrol supply would have been exhausted more quickly. Asked regarding the suitability of tho West Coast of the South Island as tiie terminal for eastward flights over the Tasman the airman said that < lauding places would bo required at intervals of from fifty to 100 miles. He recognised the effect of the prevailing ndr’westerlies and the atmospheric movement from Australia toward New Zealand.

WHY HE CAMOUFLAGED. [Special to tub ‘ Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, January 9. Tho reason why Mr Menzies did not advise his partner, Mr Albert James, who owns a controlling interest in tho Southern Cross Junior, of his intention of Hying to New Zealand was that ho feared that if anything wont wrong and ho was killed Mr James might have been criticised. He left a sealed letter for Mr James to open after the flight had started. “ I did not wish to tell Mr James about the trip before I left for fear that -should tho flight fail ho might be criticised for having let me go, but I am quite sure that he is behind me,” said Mr Menzies to a reporter to-day. The Sydney' office of the Atlantic Union Oil Company has informed its new Zealand manager (Mr E. G. Martin), now in Christchurch, that Air Albert James, tho associate of Mr Menzies in his flying venture, left by the Mara mu to-day. Ho will arrive in New Zealand on Tuesday, and_will_ join Mr Aleuzies on his flights in Now Zealand.

TRANSPORTING THE PLANE, [Pkk tinmen PKr.it Association.] WELLINGTON, January 9. Arrangements for the immediate future of Guy Menzies which have been made by the Atlantic Union Oil Company' were announced to-day. Mr E. G Martin, a director of tho company, and Mr B. E. Mills, assistant general manager, went to Christchurch to meet Mr Menzies. Mr Menzies advised Mr Martin that the Southern Cross Junior is still in tho swamp at Ilari Han, and that when tho two mechanics whom the Government has scut from tho AVigram Aerodrome have dismantled it it will be shipped to Christchurch, where it will ho repaired. Mr James, part owner of the Southern Cross Junior, will arrive in A\ ellington by tho Milrama ou Tuesday, and when tho machine has been repaired the pair will tour New Zealand. It is intended to remove tho large petrol tank from the machine and install a cockpit m its place, so that two men might nso tho one machine. . , . , So much of the machine s equipment has been removed by souvenir hunters that it has been decided to dismantle the aeroplane rather than remove it in any other form. message to the mayor. The mayor (Mr R. S. Black) last night received the following telegram from Mr Menzies:— “ Many thanks for your kind expressions. Hope to visit you later,”.