New York’s Welcome

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 162, 28 June 1930, Page 5

New York’s Welcome

To Conquerors of Atlantic Mayor s Generous Tribute To ‘‘Bravest of the Brave” [Australian and New Zealand Press Association.] (Received 28, 10.0 a.m.) New York, June 27. The four fliers, all in new clothes of fresh blue serge and clearly very fit again after a good night’s rest, were met by the Mayor’s reception committee at the Hotel Roosevelt shortly after noon, and, preceded by a squadron of mounted police, were escorted down Broadway from Forty-fourth street into City Hall Square. The fliers, who were seated on top of a folded-down automobile, waved to the thousands who lined the street on .both sides. City Hall Square was jammed for hours before their arrival, and immediately upon their appearance a rain of torn paper from the surrounding skyscrapers descended upon them. The eastern face of the Woolworth building appeared as if through a snowstorm, although the temperature was nearly 100.

Van Dyke, turning to the Mayor as the latter welcomed .the fliers on the steps of the City Hall, said: “I like this weather better than the North Atlantic weather.” After the reception, the fliers were taken to a civic luncheon. ' Although Kingsford Smith is desirous of departing for th® west tomorrow. it is considered likely that his advisors here will ask him to remain oyer the week-end, and hope also to secure his approval for a tour of the country. It is understood that after the California flight Smith will dispose of the Southern Cross. RECEPTION BY PRESIDENT Washington. June 27. Kingsford Smith and the crew of the Southern Cross will be received by President Hoover on Monday. The Southern Cross will fly here from Roosevelt Field. The diplomatic representatives of the fliers’ country will present the men. MAYOR’S GREETINGS (Received 28. 9.40 a.m.) New York. June 27. At the civic reception accorded the fliers the Mayor, Mr. Walker, handed a scroll of honour to Kingsford Smith with the words “Greetings and congratulations from the people of New York City. Speaking through me. their chief executive, they take pride in honouring you for the gallant feat which you have just accomplished You have added thus, sir, another brighter laurel to the wreath which you have already won. Our people are well aware of the wonderful record you have achieved as an air soldier with the A.I.A.F. on Gallipoli and in France. We are thrilled by your flight across the Pacific and we hail you as conquerors of the Atlantic. PRESENTATION OF SCROLL “It is such deeds as yours, performed not foi vainglory but in the interests of science, that forge new links and bonds of amity and concord Take then, this scroll as an earnest of our people’s very real and sincere welcome to you and your gallant ship.” The Mayor’s address of welcome was broadcast throughout the nation. “SMITHY’S” REPLY Kingsford Smith’s reply was prefixed with remarks of apology that he was a fliei and not an orator. He took occasion to develop a phrase from the Mayor’s address to the effect that this was not: a “stunt flight.” The flier said “I have no patience with stunt flying and I am glad that the Mayor stressed the fact, that there are scientific aspects of such a venture as ours.” The Mayor then decorated the four fliers with medals. SCIENTIFIC VALUE OF FLIGHT (Received 28, 11.10 a.m.) New York, June 27. The crew of the Southern Cross were hailed by New York City and the Mayor. Mr. Walker, as the “bravest of the brave.” “Because it took unique courage on your part to attempt the flight,” the Mayor said when presenting them with a scroll of honour at the City Hall. Kingsford Smith, replying, said, “most people believe that the men who fly acros- oceans do so merely to get a ride up Broadway, That is not so. Men who do that kind of work are pioneering in the cause of aviation and aiding scientific knowledge. UNREHEARSED “TAIL-SPIN” Just as the Mayor finished his address a bench with twenty comeramen in front of the speakers’ stand collapsed, throwing the men and their cameras in a squirming mass on the floor. Kingsford Smith, alluding to this, said “I am glad that what has happened did not occur to us while over the ocean. It was the most perfect example of a tail-spin I have ever seen.” The crowd shouted its glee at his remark. BRAVE MEN’S MODESTY (Received 28. 10.50 a.m.) New York, June 27. Kingsford Smith and his companions were entertained at luncheon by the Advertising Club. Responding to toasts, each man seemed to be anxious to give away the credit for the success of the flight to someone else. Smith said that his part was really small, and he gave credit to the others. Saul told how once his navigation had the ’plane some 200 miles off her proper course—- “ That's how much help I was,” he said.

Van Dyke passed on the credit to the ’plane itself. Stannage refused to speak, saying “I am too full of emotion to say anything.” Arrangements have been made for a short-wave conversation to-morrow morning between Kingsford Smith and his parents and possibly his fiancee. The flier, with his companions and some Fokker officials, plan to fly here from Roosevelt field in time to begin the broadcast at 5.30 in the morning (astern summer time). It is reported that Ulm and Miss Powell will attempt to reach 2ME for a broadcast from W2XAF. FUTURE PLANS (Received 28, 10.15 a.m.) 1 New York. June 27. Kingsford Smith, when asked for a statement concerning his plans in view of some conflicting reports, and in reply to a question as to whether he would undertake any major flights again, said: “Oh yes. lam not through with flying,” he said. He was unable to indicate what flights he contemplated. “I wish I could tell you exactly what my plans are. but with the exception of the fact that I am going back to Australia in September for my marriage, my plans must be. and are, liquid. After the flight to the Pacific Coast I will return East again and proceed to England, sailing for Australia from there. More than that I cannot say at the present time.” NORTH ATLANTIC DIFFICULTIES • (British Official Wireless.) (Received 28, 12.30 p.m.) Rugby, June 27. Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith doubts if the North Atlantic will ever be practicable for commercial aviation as the dangers are incop. ceivable. A study of the weather records sho.v almost every day that there are bad spots and for westbound ’planes there would always be dead-ends to overcome. [See page 7 for Kingsford Smith’s story of the flight from Ireland to Newfoundland.] ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA. HOOK AND MATTHEWS DOING WELL. (United Press Association—By CableCopyright.) Bushire, June 27. The aviators Hook and Matthews arrived yesterday and left again for J ask.