CITY’S ENTHUSIASM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 284, 29 October 1934, Page 7

CITY’S ENTHUSIASM.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ARRIVAL

GESTURES OF APPRECIATION

With fire sirens, whistles and the report of a gun as the signal to the citizens of Palmerston North that Messrs McGregor and Walker had attained their goal, and landed at Laverton, there were spontaneous expressions of delight and congratulation when the news was received yesterday about 10.45 a.m. Just a few minutes after a 4.5 howitzer had been fired from the Square by Lieutenant Joyce and two members of the battery unit, many residents proceeded instinctively to the centre of the city, where gestures of appreciation were shown by a cheering crowd. The announcement that the pilots had reached their destination was soon in every home, and much enthusiasm was shown. The Manawatu Aero Club’s ’plane ZK —ABA, piloted by Mr R. Linklater, and Mr L. McGaffin, in ZK —AAN swooped and zoomed over the city. Diving, looping, rolling' and performing daring aerobatics at a low altitude, they paid their tribute, with others, to the success of the Palmerston North pilots. When the news was received flags were run up at the Boys’ High School, and at the Technical School. Mr Walker is an old boy of both schools. Mr J. Murray, rector of the Boys’ High School, has cabled the school’s congratulations to Mr Walker. Mrs McGregor, who has throughout maintained a quiet confidence in the ability of her husband to win through is naturally very pleased that the flight has met with such outstanding success, and, of course, is glad that it is over.

“OUTSTANDING EFFORT.”

AIR DIRECTOR’S TRIBUTE,

WELLINGTON, Oct. 29. “It was a particularly fine show and reflects great credit on both pilots,” reclared Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, last evening, when referring to the flight of McGregor and Walker. “There is nothing derogatory in my saying that it might have been better for themselves if they had remained a while at Darwin, rather than come on and face the head winds, because time spent on the ground at the various official checking or control points is not counted in the handicap event. Instead, McGregor elected to carry on, and he has shown that a . small machine can get through. • “McGregor has told us that they had quite a good trip, hut they must have had a terrible time with the tropical rain beating into those open cockpits, hour after hour, and without even the protection afforded by an upper wing,” Squadron-Leader Wilkes observed.

“Their -whole flight has been an outstanding effort.”

IN CLOSE PURSUIT.

AUCKLANDERS HAVE TROUBLE. Received October 29, 10.20 a.m. MELBOURNE, Oct. 29. Hewett and Kay, who are in sixth position, reached Darwin at 8.38 on Saturday. They flew on to Newcastle Waters, where they spent the night. One engine of the machine was giving trouble when they arrived at Cloncurry, but they will continue to Melbourne this morning, where they will have their engines overhauled. Hewett’s trim Dragon, painted tangerine, was a picture in the brilliant tropic sunshine when it arrived at Darwin on Saturday morning. The airmen alighted from the ’plane looking particularly fresh. They said the flight across the Timor Sea was the best part of the journey eo far. The weather was calm and delightful. Mr F. Stewart, the wireless operator, said they had had a really magnificent trip throughout, although thun-der-storms disturbed them somewhat when approaching Penang. They were at Allahabad when they heard the good news that Scott had arrived at Melbourne. Everyone everywhere was acclaiming Scott as the greatest flier of the age. Kay said the Dragon, which has been named Tainui, would be taken across the Tasman as soon as weather conditions permit after their arrival at Melbourne because it has been commissioned for air mail work in New Zealand. It has a top speed of 165 m.p.li. and a cruising speed of about 140 m.p.h. Hewett said that the Dragon was delivered to them two days before the start of the race. He wanted it to be as perfect when they reached Melbourne as when they left London. Consequently they had proceeded steadily during the race. A Charleville message states that Hewett and Kay got off the course after leaving Darwin and wore lost for some time. They did not reach Newcastle Waters until late on Saturday afternoon, and remained there the night.

THE DANISH FLIERS

DEPARTURE FROM BATAVIA

MELBOURNE, Oct. 28. Hansen and Jerisen arrived at Singapore at 7.5 p.m. on Friday. They reached Batavia at 9.35 a.m. to-day and left at 10.6 a.m. for ltambang.