SYDNEY WELCOME

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1930, Page 6

SYDNEY WELCOME

TO AMY JOHNSON

(Australian Press Association. )

SYDNEY', June 4

Miss Amy -Johnson arrived at Sydney to-day. The reception in Sydney to-day was marked by scenes no less enthusiastic and demonstrative' than those which attended the arrival of Smith, Ulm and Hinkler after their historic llights. It was the womenfolk’s turn to pay homage to one of their own sex who 1 had accomplished a feat which set the whole world talking, and right royally they acclaimed her. The National Airway’s giant Fokker monoplane “Southern Sun" piloted by Lieut. Ulm, landed Miss Johnson at Mascot Aerodrome at 3.55 p.m. in the presence of seventy thousand people, who threw their hats in the air, released coloured balloons, shouted greetings and swarmed across the sloppy aerodrome to obtain a closo•up view of the heroine. Girls lost their heads in a feverish desire to get near enough personally to welcome the aviatrix in whose honour appropriate songs were arranged and sung. Miss Johnson was assisted to a decorated motor truck on which she was seated on an easy chair, and was driven round to enable the spectators to see her. cheer her and overwhelm her with flowers. Then she was transferred to a dias adjacent to the Aero Club House, where site was - cordially welcomed and complimented by many leading people in public life and aviation. She smiled gratefully throughout the whole of this long trying -ordeal, and waved acknowledgements., She was as graceful' as any woman could wish her to bei A feature of the occasion was an aeroplane escort which accompanied the Southern Sun from a considerable distance north of Sydney to the aerodrome. Altogether, twentytwo machines, large and small, mostly piloted by women, took part, returning to the aerodrome in massed formation below drifting clouds. They made a sight which will long he remembered by the city’s million people who craned their necks and were thrilled. Screeching ferry sirens and noisy motor horns intensified the pandemonium and excitement. SEALSKIN COAT PRESENTED SYDNEY, June 4. Miss Johnson landed at 2.55. Among tlio.se to welcome her on the dias was Mr Schmitt, the New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner. Miss Johnson emerged from the Fokker dressed modestly in. a. jade green coat and skirt and she wore a green fur-trimmed overcoat. Sb'e was hatless and she carried an Australian Teddy Bear. She received many gifts including a real sealskin coat, trimmed deeply with squirrel fur, from.the Arts Chib. There was a c-harming interlude when in the midst of her emotion at the height of the turmoil, she sank into the arms of Mrs Ga click, the wife of the Chief Civic Commissioner, who caressed her and planted a motherly kiss on her flushed cheek. She recovered her composure immediately. It should be added that she piloted the Southern Sun for two hours during the long trip from Brisbane to Sydney. On behalf of the New Zealand Government and the people of the Dominion. both Pakeha and Maori, Mr Schmitt:welcomed Miss Johnson. He said: “Me look upon, your wonderful achievement, with the greatest admiration. T have been asked-by (Mrs Freer, the President of the National Council of Women of New Zealand, to extend to you a hearty invitation to visit New Zealand which is Australia’s beautiful sister, and is only three days’ voyage across the Taxman Sea.” Miss Johnson’s historic aeroplane. Jason, repaired and reconditioned, came to Sydney behind the Southern. Sun, in charge of Pilot Brain, of Queensland.