GENEROUS WELCOME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20031, 1 September 1939, Page 14

GENEROUS WELCOME

AMERICAN GRATITUDE CAPT. MUSICK MEMORIAL “DRAWS US CLOSER” (Per PrcßS Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Appreciation of the unexpectedly generous welcome extended to the personnel of the California Clipper by the people of Auckland, was expressed by Mr. Clinton M. Hester, administrator of the United States Civil Aeronautics Authority, when speaking at an informal reception given by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, at the Town Hall to the commanders and officers of the Aotearoa and the Clipper. The Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, who arrived from Wellington by air during the afternoon, welcomed both crews on behalf of the Government and said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, hgd told him how sorry he was he had been unable to come to Auckland to meet the visitors, but sent his greetings. Mr,.. Hester -said the flight from San ..Francisco had been an inspiring one, and he felt it was going to cement friendship between New Zealand and the United States. Speaking of the warmth of the welcome given to them in Auckland, he said that among them were men who had flown all over the world and they agreed they had never received such a royal welcome anywhere.

“We were really startled to find the people of New Zealand had erected a memorial to Captain Musick, who was one Of our greatest pilots,” said Mr. Hester. “I am going to see that the people of the United States know about this fine thing and I will tell President Roosevelt.

“It is something that quickens our pulse and lightens our step. It is certainly the sort of thing that draws us closer together.”