SOUTHERN CROSS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11835, 17 January 1933, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

ARRIVAL op huge monoplane TO-MORROW. ;

WELCOME TO SIR C. KINGSFORD ? " SMITH.

BALE-HOLIDAY recommended

Arrangements in "connection with th'c reception in Gisborne of th 0 well known aviator, Air-Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, on his arrival from Rotorua at 2.30 p.m. tomorrow, were finalised yesterday at a meeting .convened by the Mayor, Mr. j) W. Coleman, M-.R;• and-' held in the Borough Council Chambers,'’Tfiefe was a good attendance,'" 'over which" Mr. Coleman presided. The Mayor explained .the object, of the meeting, whicliAvas 'to mnlce aii rangements to welcome Sir C. Kingsford Smith on Waikanae Beach at 2.30 to-morrow. The actual work in connection' with the visit" of the famous aviator and the huge Southern Cross was in the hands of aviation ■ enthusiasts. One of the main questions for the meeting, was to consider what steps, business men could take to promote,'the success of the visit, more especially in regard to allowing the staffs of business houses some time off'to take part 0 in the reception. While it would be possible to hold the weekly half-holiday on Wednesday instead of Thursday, he personally did not believe this would be satisfactory to the business people of the town. A preferable course, to bis mind, would be to allow the staffs off for an hour or two to visit the bVachi with the stipulation that business "should be resumed thereafter. Mr. G. Nicholls explained the plans for the visit and commented, that Gisborne was fortvuiate. in; being, "included in the early stages of the itinerary. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, had stressed that in order to conserve the time available for the business portion of his visit, any reception should be cut as short as possible. After discussion it was decided that The speakers'at the reception, be the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., the president of the Gisborne R.S.A.. and the president or the Aero Club. -"‘DO THE THING PROPERLY^ Mr. H. E. Maude proposed that bus iness people be asked, to close fhejr premises on Wednesday from 2to 3.30 p.m. Mr. J. G. Nolan-seconded the. motion. .

As an amendment, Mr. T. E. Toneycliffe moved that a public half-holi-day should he declared, expressing the opinion that, in vietr of the importance of the occasion and the trorld-v.-ide fame and achievements of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Gisborne should ‘‘do the thing properly’. In seconding the motion, Air. E. T. Doddrell expressed the warmest admiration for the achievements of Sir Charles, and declared that for an occasion such as this the business people would be-glad to do anything possible bv way of co-operation. Botli'Messrs. Toheycliffe and Doddrell made.'it clear 'that they were merely expressing what ' they thought was the general opinion of traders, and had no direct authority from the retailers to express these views. Mr. Maude then withdrew his motion, and Hie proposal for a general half-holiday was carried. TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS.

Control of traffic on the beach was then discussed. . / It was stated that the police would f be in full strength on the beach, an ' that members of the Defence Force units would be available, to assist m keeping the landing-ground clear. A suggestion was also made that the public should be asked to remain well above the high-water mark, preferably on the sandhills in lme with the promenacfe ;aF ; the;^thin^ : paydv ;

on. . . ~ Police-Inspector O’Halloran slated that swimmers ‘ would he asked to leave the water at 2 o’clock, m order that no possibility of accident wou be involved. Mr. Nicholls said that Sir Charle Kingsford Smith. was so intent on keeping the record of the. tour clea of anything in the shape of accidents that if people encroached on the landing-space he would refrain from bringing down the Southern Cross on tbt beach. The. plane has a wingspan of 80ft., and would require the greater portion of the width of e beach for landing and taking-off. SITF; OF RECEPTION. It was decided that the reception should take place on a platform to be erected close to Grey street, anc it was stated that Sir Charles bad been asked to bring Ids niaphine as close to the platform' as 'phssijwc. Mr. Nicholls mentioned that while Sir Charles had asked to be excused from public engagements, it. might happen that he could f,nd time to attend some functions at short notice, and that lie would be glad to consider informal proposals during his visit It might, happen that his professional work would absorb less of Sir Charle* time than he had reserved for it, and if that was the case, lie would wish to meet as many Gisborne people as possible, without. making formal engagements.