WIZARD SMITH

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1932, Page 2

WIZARD SMITH

“PITIFUL TEXTURE IX N.Z.” “LET DOWX THREE GO'. ERX-MEXTS.” SYDNEY, June 7. Returning to Sydney from New Zealand, after months of fiasco which humiliated AusOalia throughout the world, Xormrn (“Wizard”) Smith, stepping from the gangway of the “Zealandia”, was formally handed a big yellow flag by racing drivers, says a writer in one cf the leading dailies, which now reveals the facts of the wretched history of the futile “speed record” on Ninety-Mile Reach; and, in the name of Australia, asks that Government action be taken, to prelude a repetition cf the present situation by Au-.tralia in speed events. Three Governments- —Australia, Now Zealand, rnd Rntain—-were* let do a n by Norman SmU!r\s . pitiful 'cnture ; and the people ol Australasia were brought into eon tem])t.

“Xorrnan Smith reiuses to answer or even to receive questions put to him by interviewers. Nevertheless the Australian nation has a right to require1 * hi>? e: planations of the facts which this paper reveals—und t.lm action of those who gave him the > ellow Flag.”

What, a contrast, between “Wiziir,|“ Smith’s departure from Sydney in December. DJI, and his return in Afav, 1932!

December. DJI: Rig crowds... Press photographer.". network of luight. .streamers garlands and lalitcls.... cheery. ..boasts.. ..“as sure as the sun rises, I will do 399 i-'ib's an b"ur.” May, 1932: A handful of friends and relatives....no cheers....no flowers... but a big yellow flag handed to Smith.

This bitter . demonstration had been premeditated by men whose names are well-known in the motor world. Therefore, one of their number waited for the “Zealandia” to come to her berth, lie held a tall staff, round which a flag was rolled’. Norman Smith came down the gangway; and the waiting man greeted him. “Norman,” he said, “we racing drivers wond like you to accept this little present, and we hope you realise the significance of it.” And lie shook out the folds of a big yellow flag. “Wizard” Smith took the pole into his own hand, and handed it to a small boy standing near. Rack in Sydney “Wizard” Smith talked briefly to daily newspaper report/ws; and they reported him as saying concerning the “nir-mib run”:—“That at 170 miles an hour the carburettor caught fire Water had penetrated the ignition system, causing a short circuit. The bench was wetter than it had ever been ; the 18 mill's (of beach) were a mans cl wafer with not a dry square inch.”