MANAWATU PILOTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 296, 12 November 1934, Page 8

MANAWATU PILOTS

ARRIVAL AT WELLINGTON.

DUE THIS AFTERNOON,

Tlie Alanawatu Aero Club pilots, Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor and Mr H C Walker, wore due to arrive in Wellington late this afternoon by the Monowai from Sydney. It is not anticipated that they will appear m public until they land at the Milson aerodrome on Wednesday. Arrangements were made for five ’planes to leave the Milson aerodrome this afternoon to fly out over Cook Strait near Paekakariki and circle over the Monowai in gestures of welcome as she approached Wellington. Immediately after their appearance at Palmerston North, Messrs McGregor and Walker will embark on a flying tour of the Dominion, for which arrangements have so far been completed in an itinerary extending up to December 1. , The Manawatu Aero Club received a remunerative offer from the Egmont A and P Association for the appearance of the pilots at the Showgrounds in Hawera on Thursday, but had to decline it oil account of a prior engagement at Hastings. After touring the North Island, the airmen will reach Wellington on November 24. They are due at Christchurch on December 1. By arrangement, the Manawatu Aero Club will leceive a substantial percentage of the gate revenue at each aerodrome that the pilots visit. . Surprise that no plans had been made in Wellington for the reception to the airmen was expressed in a letter by a woman correspondent to the Evening Post. She recollected receiving letters from her brother during the Great War praising the work of the li.A.F. pilots and the daring shown in particular by Squadron-Leader AlcGregor. The correspondent added that she had been told the achievement of McGregor and Walker in tlie Centenary Air Race ranked as one of the twelve most outstanding long distance flights in history. She had searched in vain for ail organised welcome in appreciation of their magnificent effort. When the letter was referred to the Mayor (Mr T C. A. Hislop) he commented that lie was not aware Squadron-Leader McGregor and Mr Walker were arriving on the Monowai, but that he understood arrangements were in hand with the Manawatu Aero Club concerning a tour of New Zealand by Squadron-Leader McGregor and Mr Walker, in conjunction with the Auckland Centenary race pilots. The airmen, he added, richly deserved a civic welcome, but it was too late to make arrangements. They would he welcomed officially when they called at Wellington in the course of their subsequent flying tour. The greatest galaxy of aerial talent that has ever been brought together in New Zealand will he at Milson to welcome McGregor and Walker on their arrival on Wednesday. Intimations have been received from various clubs that their machines are coming to help make this the greatest aerial event ever held in the Manawatu. The public will .have the opportunity of demonstrating their admiration of Messrs McGregor and Walker and Hewett and Ivay’s efforts in the great race and of flying in the fast machines piloted by these great airmen. D. Allen, of Auckland, who put on a splendid exhibition of aerobatics at the North Island pageant, will repeat the performance here, possibly in tlie Gloster Grebe, if it can he arranged. Messrs Gerrand and Buckeridge are recognised <is two of New Zealand’s leading exponents of aerial fighting and give exhibitions. G. Bolt is the Atcherley of New Zealand and always provides a thrill. Free parking space has been arranged in paddocks surrounding the aerodrome, while a limited number of cars inside the ’drome will be charged admission. A small charge is being made to the aerodrome to help pay for the entry of the Manawatu ’plane in the race. , . . The Manawatu pilots and machine now hold the world’s light ’plane record from London to Darwin, and it is not every day they return from such an epoch-making flight. The day commences at 11 a.m., lunch may be had on the ground, hot water will be available, and the official reception will take place at 1.45 p.m. Exhibition flying will go on all day and passenger flights will be made with the Hawk and Dragon. A loudspeaker system will be installed for the benefit of the public. At night an aero ball will be held in the P.D.C. at a price advertised on the front page. Gedson’s Aces will supply the music and dress will be optional. The air race aud visiting pilots will attend the ball. This day will be one that will go down in history in this district.

POWER BOARD’S CONGRATULATIONS. FURTHER LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

Congratulations on their splendid flight from Mildenhall to Melbourne are to bo conveyed to Messrs McGregor and Walker, the Manawatu pilots, by the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board. Moying a resolution on these lines at the monthly meeting of the board this afternoon, the chairman (Mr C. G. C. Dermer) stated that all were proud of the airmen’s wonderful achievement, especially as Mr Walker was a member of the board’s staff. They appeared to have had bad luck in not winning a handicap prize. Seconding the motion, which was carried unanimously, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., said one remarkable aspect of -the flight should not be overlooked. That was that it was performed in an open cockpit, with considerable night flying. The aviators had lowered both Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s and Mr C. T. P. TJImV records, and had done a fine thing for. New Zealand. So far as local guarantors were concerned, and in that he included country residents, the flight had been an expensive venture. Arrangements had been made for the pilots to tour New Zealand and under the extraordinary circumstances Mr Walker should be granted additional leave of absence to permit him to have the privilege of taking part. Supporting this, Mr M. A- Eliott stated that the Manawatu pilots had competed against the best aviators and best machines. Their achievement in their small machine had been almost marvellous, especially as they had never been over the course before.. Mr Nash : It was dogged determination that did it. . _ , , Mr Walker was unanimously granted additional leave of absence, and on the suggestion of Mr Eliott it was decided to forward congratulations to the Manawatu Aero Club on its enterprise in promoting the venture.,