“SMITHY” ARRIVES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11837, 19 January 1933, Page 5

“SMITHY” ARRIVES

GISBORNE'S EECORD CROWD. '

' ' STIRRING RECEPTION

PERFECT LANDING MADE.

■A twinkling silvery star, apparently high above the golf course, immediately observed by numerous pairs of eye s, an excited bu stling a lid forward i surge; of the. greatest', crowd yet seen! in Gisborne, and the .stage wa s ;Set! yesterday- for the welcome to Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, one of the greatest aviators tlie world has yet seen, and his equally famous plane, the Southern Cross. Tremendous public interest was displayed in “Smithy’s” visit, and the crowd which gathered at Waikanae Beach, about the end of Grey Street, was estimated by competent judges at between 12,000 and 13,000, easily the greatest public gathering in the history of the town. The weather conditions were perfect and the advent of the Southern Cross was eagerly awaited. Leaving. Kotoruai at 1.55 p.m., the plane made the trip to Gisborne in exactly an hour. Piloted bv Sir Charles, the' plane also carried the following: Messrs. Wilfred Smith (brother .of Sir Charles), Stannage (wireless operator), T. Petheridge (head mechanic), Puyves (third mechanic), J. Percival (a Sydney, journalist). B- Shiel (Vacuum Oil Company’s aviation expert) and Lister (who is making a round trip of New Zealand). \ Once the machine was sighted, k there was little delay before it came to rest on the Waikanae sands. It flew along the beach towards Kaiti Hill, hanked fairly widely above the hill, and then swopped low to the beach, its wheels touching the sand nearly opposite the end of the esplanade. and them-resting firmly without further bumping, to taxi some distance along .the beach before before, coming to rest. The perfect landing evoked amazed murmurs from the crowd and it was very obvious what a master-pilot, .the popular “Smithy” isl

Long before the plane came to rest, there was a frenzied rush by a. large section of the crowd to -witness the famous pilot and other occupants of the machine disembark. A motor-car followed the plane and picked up Sir Charles tp transport him back to the platform erected at the end of the esplanade, where a formal ceremony of welcome was extended. As the car drove through a lane in the great crowd, ~“Smithy” was given - a stirring reception, and the cheering continued right through until the ceremony opened. THE OFFICIAL WELCOME. The first speaker, was the Mayor, (Mr. D. W. Coleman, M. P.), who opened by stating that he would notdelay them long, but that lie felt he would be lacking in his duty ns the representative of the people of the town and district if he allowed Sir Charles to come here and go away without extending him a cordial welcome in the name of the town. Si’ Charles and his “old bus” were too well-known to necessitate the speaker going into, any explanation as to the <j<2casion for such a welcome, j“I extend to you, Sir Charles,” continued Mr. Coleman, “the. most sincere and heartfelt welcome, to-day. We have read of. your wonderful exploits and our hearts and minds have thrilled at your adventures and . we have been truly pleased at your successes. (Applause).- .At other times, too, we have been wondering as to how you were getting on. “There is no possible doubt,' 1 the Mayor proceeded, “on the point that the world owes and will continue to ewe to you a. great debt for your work on behalf of flying, a debt which we cannot ever really repay. You have done a tremendous amount in proving the real usefulness of flying. (Applause.) Thi s has been recognised by the Government and His Majesty, for a knighthood has been , conferred on you. (Applause). We often wonder, indeed, why a title is given to some people, hut I know that all agree that, in your case, the honor was wellearned. (Applause).

“Time and tide waits for no man rung the old . maxim,” said Mr. Coleman, “and this is very true to-day, so I will once more extend to you the heartiest of welcomes from the people of this district and also express the hope that your stay here will he a pleasant and profitable one, that you will go away feeling that it was well worth while paying a visit to Gisborne. In passing, too, I would like to say that never before, in the years I have lived in Gisborne, have I seen such a great crowd assembled —a sure proof of the pleasure the people take in extending you a welcome. I trust, and in doing so, I echo the. wish of the whole district, that you will be long spared to continue the work you are so ably doing”.

On the Mayor’s lead three cheers were then given for Sir Charles.

WELCOME FltOM AERO CLUB

The- next . speaker was Mr. J. G. Nolan, president of the Gisborne Aero Club, who, on behalf of members, a further warm welcome to Sir' Charles. “Aero clubs throughout. the world,”. he added, “owe everything to pioneers of. avia.-, lion such as Sir, Charles. .I, would like him to know that all clubs in the Dominion, and especially the local due, realise the .debt owing to these pioneers. Probably nobody has done as much to. assist the.aejo club move-, ment ..as . youhave, Sir Charles. . , . “All your .flight”, added the speak-: er,:.“ha.ye been .marked . ..by careful preparation and attention to detail which,.: coupled with your conspicuous determination and courage, have made success possible. . It. is the object ef aero, clubs to foster these qualities 1 and" your example in. .this respect has been-..0f) inestimable value. , . Nobody, Has, done as;much for the clubs, as; you . have, for 'you have clearly demonstrated the safety , of‘ aviation, - and' what is possible by fore-thought and tenacity of purpose. We are exceedingly pleased that you found it y : : Ly/ V.;.;.;.';; :

p.-V • A*. • j-;/;'" possible to include G : sborne in your • anil any tiling that tho club ! can do for. yon it will do gladly. Again I extend to you aud your crew the heartiest of welcomes.” \ -[- R.S.A. TRIBUTES. “It is my privilege, bu behalf of the Gisborne R.S.A.”, stated the next speaker, [Lieut.-Col. R. F. Gambrill, president of the Association, j “and on behalf of all returned men [ in the.[district to extend to you, Sir : Charles, aiid the members of., your party, a very, hearty greeting. As a returned soldier, we have watched your achievements with the keenest interest, and we especially appreciate your efforts on behalf of the returned men. The bonds of friendship and kinship between the Australians and New Zealanders were cemented on Gallipoli in 1915. . You have annihilated the distance between our lands, and thereby forged a link to bind the younger generations. We deeply appreciate your visit to us, and trust that you obtain what you truly deserve, continued success and prosperity in the years to come, of which may you have many.” “SMITHY” IN REPLY. Coming forward to speak, Sir Charles was given a tumultuous welcome, and it was some time before lie had the opportunity to. make himself heard. “This is, the first time since I landed in New Zealand,” he stated in opening, “that somebody or other has not asked how the baby is. Well I can tell you that he is very well thanks. I fell very proud indeed of the “old bus” and happy to have the opportunity of showing you what, she looks like and also this (lie pointed to his face amid laughter). You may be impressed with the first, but you can hardly enthuse over the second; still I can assure you that I am not two-faced, for if I were I. would wear the other.

“I am very pleased to hear it said, and I believe there is some, truth in it, that my fisrt trip over the Tasman was responsible, for starting some of the aero clubs, and for developing those then already started”, proceeded Sir Charles. “From that point of view, then, I feel that some good work Was done by the trip. 1 preach the gospel of aviation always, for I be-

lieve in it and its future, and I hope that my third trip across the Tasman will have paved the way to regular passenger flights over the route in the pear future. “I am not a good speaker,” he continued, “and you may believe that I can be more eloquent in the cockpit of a plane than here. I can only thank you for your kindliness and warmth of your welcome, especially since I come-to you as a commercial flyer. Baby, however, needs shoes now and then, and I must supply them. New Zealand is treating me wonderfully, and I feel sure that at the end -of the tour I will have two or three years’ supply of shoes for baby.

“I am sure that you will all join with me.” continued Sir Charles, “in the fervent hope that a fine and brave little countryman of mine, also a personal friend, is still safe, though missing at present.” Three further . cheers were then given for “Smithy” and his staff, these concluding the official cerenionv.

MANY PASSENGERS OFFERING

ELEVEN FLIGHTS MADE

, The Southern Cross made eleven passenger flights yesterday afternoon, carrying a full complement on each occasion. Excellent service in keeping the beach free of pedestrians and bathers, so that the plane could land, was performed by the police, members of the Wellington (East Coast) Mounted Rifles and the First Battalion of the Hawke's Bay Regiment, and also members of the local aero club. No mishaps of any nature occurred. Further passenger flights will be made this afternoon. WARNING TO CHILDREN. Speaking to a “Times” reporter last evening, Sir Charles voiced « warning to parents that they should make certain their children were not permitted to run into the path of the Southern Cross as it landed. Once j the machine had touched ground, he 1 pointed out, he had no means of stopping it in its run along the beach. If he turned seawards there was grave dangers of bathers coming In the way and if he turned landwards it would mean uhar&mg into the crowd of spectators, hence it was absolutely essential that the runway should be kept clear.' Sir Charles commented that many young children appeared to regard it. is a pastime to run. across the path of the. machine, whereas actually they were iff very J serious danger, for should one . of them fall it would he practically impossible to avoid a serious accident.. VISIT TO TOLAGA BAY. Tolaga Bay residents will probablv have an opportunity of seeing the Southern Cross in flight this afteruoon,. for, according to present arrangements, Sir Charles intends to fly up to the Coast township late this afternoon, though it will not be possible to make a landing there.

’PHONE CALL TO SYDNEY. ■ About 10 o’clock last night, Sir Charles put a telephone call through to Sydney and had a conversation with .his wife. Reception was perfect both ways. This is the famous airman’s practice each night, and it enables him to keep in touch with those he has left behind him, nut forgetting “Baby”. “WONDERFUL WELCOMES” WORRIED OVER HINKLER. DANGERS OF SECRECY. “We have been given wonderful welcomes everywhere in New Zealand” Sir Charles Kingsford Smith told a '‘Times” representative last evening.

“.and the enthusiasm has beeir gi'caL er .than that in Australia. I cannot express, my gratitude effectually, but I certainly wish the public to know how much I appreciate all they arc doing, especially since I am here on business. I wish to sincerely thank the police, the Gisborne . Aero Club members, tlie troops and all others who assisted yesterday at the beach and elsewhere.”

Sir Charles went on to state that lie was very worried about Bert Hinkler, though, it was still quite possible that he would be found safe. It was a mistake, be considered, to exercise too much secrecy as to the route of any flight, for then searchers had nothing to- guide them in their attempts at rescue. t„ Australia, it was compulsory for pilots, on leaving an aerodrome, to fill in the departure book, giving time of taking off, the number of passengers carried and the destination. In the case of all passenger planes, the centre aimed for was immediately advised by telegraph this being compulsory. A similar provision for New Zealand seemed to him a very good scheme, and might well mean the saving of lives in case of accident. Sir Charles referred briefly to Barton Field, the local aerodrome, and stated that it appeared a very promising ground. Unloaded the Southern Cross had no trouble in landing and taking off there, but with a full complement of passengers a longer runway wag required on account of ■ the greater weight. The Southern Cross was garaged at | Darton Field last night, and many local residents paid a visit there to examine tlie famous machine more closely. INTO THE SEA.PARACHUTIST’S LEAP. Extra thrills arising out of the visit of the Southern Cross yesterday were provided by a parachute descent from the machine by Air. “Scotty” Fraser, a well-known exponent of the art.. Owing to the unfavourable winds, only one descent was possible yesterday, instead of two as bad been anticipated. Air. Fraser jumped from the plane when it appeared above tlie golf course and he aimed to land oil the beach in front of the esplanade. An extra puff of wind at the last moment carried him into tlie water, and lie struck the surface where there was a depth of some three or four feet. The wind tended to force the parachute, with Air. Fraser attached, out into deeper water, and he was 'having some trouble in preventing this when several bathers came t° his assistance and helped him safely asbore.

A collection was taken up to defray Air. Fraser’s expenses in coming specially from Hastings to Gisborne, a portion of tlie amount collected being donated to the Gisborne Aero Club funds.

THE “OLD BUS”. TWO ORIGINAL ENGINES. Approximately 7iJ per cent, of the Southern Cross remains as the plane stood in the hangars at Amsterdam prior to its trans-Atlantic hop. Two of the original engines ai'e still in tlie plane, the fusilage is- the same, and o u iy a few minor replacements have been made in the wings. Sir Charles regards the Southern Cross as almost human on account of the way it has carried him through bis historic flights in all parts of the world. He would not part with it, although he lias been made offers by enterprising Americans. “Smithy” was beseiged by inventors who wanted him to test out the products of their brains while on the Tasman flight.