THE AOTEAROA

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1940, Page 5

THE AOTEAROA

TEN-HOUR HOP

Welcome to Envoys

LORD WILLINGDON’S REPLY. WELLINGTON, January 19. Bringing to New Zealand the "Marquese of Willingdon,” to represent His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom at the Centennial Celebrations, the Tasman Empire Airways flying boat, “Aotearoa,” arrived at Wellington to-day after a trip of 10 hours 10 minutes from Sydney. Lord Willingdon was accompanied by Lady Willingdon and Lord Errington. (Private Secretary). Other passengers by the “Aotearoa” were Senator P. A. M. Mcßride who is to represent the Australian Government at the Centennial • celebrations; Mrs. Mcßride; Mr. Williams (the Senator’s private secretary); the Minister,of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, and Mrs. Jones, and Mr. F. B. Dwyer, of the Army Department.

The fact ‘that the “Aotearoa” was to arrive in Wellington was not made public till this afternoon. As a result, the crowd that gathered at Evans’ Bay was not as large, as would otherwise have been, the case. There were, however, several thousand people around the foreshore, and many cars were parked on vantage points on the hills. The afternoon was gloriously fine and hot, with a light southerly breeze. The barge was moored to the patent slip jetty at Evans’ Bay, and the passengers landed. A short address of welcome was delivered by the Chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. M. A. Elliott, to which Lord Willingdon and Senator Mcßride replied. Afterwards the members of the party went to the Hotel Waterloo. The official party on the barge had been waiting about three-quart-ers of an hour when the "Aotearoa” made her appearance. Captain Lord Dormer, A.D.C., representing the Governor-General; the Minister _of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, representing the Government; and the Port Health Officer and a Customs official were the first to go out to the “Ao - tearoa.” They returned after a short time, accompanied by Lord Errington and the New Zealand passengers. A little later, Lord and Ladv Willingdon and Senator and Mrs. Mcßride came ashore.

Welcoming Lord and Lady Wiilingdon, Mr. Elliott said that, almost one hundred years before to-day, pioneers had arrived at Wellington after a voyage of three months from England. When that 'was compared with Lord and Lady Willingdon’s trip of a few days, it made one realise what a wonderful transformation had taken place. Lord Willingdon said he and Lady Willingdon were delighted to come to New Zealand. It was not their first visit. He added that it gave him great pleasure to convey the warm greetings of the people in Great Britain to New Zealand, and to express thanks for the splendid way in which New Zealand was upholding the unity of the Empire. New Zealand had developed greatly since, he had last been here. On his previous visit he had spent five days on a stormy crossing of the Tasman. This time he had got into a fast flying boat, and sat in a comfortable armchair, and arrived in a few hours. Modern science had brought the Empire much closer. His first trip to

Australia had taken six weeks. This one had taken 15 days. Senator Mcßride spoke briefly. Apart from head-winds which made the flight slower than usum, the trip was uneventful, said Captain J. W. Burgess Commander of the “Aotearoa,” in’ an interview. The “Aotearoa” left Sydney at 6.15 a.m. New Zealand time, and the official arrival time at Wellington was given as 4.15 p.m.