CIVIC RECEPTION TO CENTAURUS CREW

Northern Advocate, 28 December 1937, Page 5

CIVIC RECEPTION TO CENTAURUS CREW

[Special To , “ Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND, This Day.

The captain and crew of the Cem taurus were accorded a civic reception at the Town Hall last night. “Captain J, W. Burgess, Jnr.,” stated an address of welcome, which was read by the town clerk, Mr J. Moiling, “on the conclusion of your successful flight from England to New Zealand in Imperial Airways flyingboat Centaurus, ' the’ corporation and citizens of Auckland salute you, and tender to you and to the members of your ship’s company their heartiest congratulations and the best of good Wishes "on your historic performance.

Impressive Undertaking

“From beginning to end, your undertaking has been impressive, characterised as'it was by that calm, matter-of-fact efficiency and attention to detail so inseparable from British enterprise and so closely in harmony with the highest traditions of pioneering ehdeavour. ‘ “This afternoon, tens of thousands of Aucklanders thrilled to the perfect landing the Centaurus made on the glistening Waters of the Waitemata. As with other New Zealanders, they are proud of your achievement. '■ In it was read a new chapter in the aviation history of the world; the connecting, through an inaugural survey commercial flight, of the heart of the Empire with one of its most important outposts; and the forging of still another link in the chain of aerial communications of the British Commonwealth, of Nations.

Feelings of Admiration.

“That Auckland once again should provide the terminal for a flight of such significance appeals to civic pride, but this naturally is subordinated ,to the, feelings of admiration we have for your accomplishment, that of the members of your crew, and, lastly,' that of.-the- magnificent GentauruS itself.

“It is our sincere hope that, before long, the aerial trail which the Cen/taurus has so effectively blazed will become the route of a regular AllRed flying-boat service, ; and that, in the maintenance of it, you and your colleagues will continue to .be prominently associated. We greet you as true pioneers of the air, and in all your endeavours we wish you well.”

Mr Savage's Welcome,

“On behalf of the Government and the-people of‘ this country,” said the Prime Minister, the Ht. Hon. M. J. Savagg, “I whole-heartedly welcome Captain Burgess and his crew, and, at the same time, I welcome to New Zea'■■■larid’s shored Captain Musick and his crew.”

Mr Savage was loudly applauded when he.said he felt sure he was expressing the hope of New Zealanders in general when he said he was confident that these ships representing the great continent of America and the British Commonwealth of Nations would sail the seas and the air together.

They hoped ■ that these great machines would go as doves of peace to the four corners of the earth.

. Mr N. S. Falla, chairman of Union Airways, and also chairman and managing director of the Union Steamship Co., Ltd., said he was proud to take part In that welcome. Shipping companies rightly regarded aviation as a complementary form of transport, with its own special uses.

Efficiency, Care, Preparation

Mr Harold Gatty,. welcoming and congratulating Captain Burgess and his officers oh behalf of Pan-American Airways, said the Tasman had been flown before, but not with such effici-

ency, care and preparation. Captain Burgess said how greatly, as a New Zealander, he appreciated the welcome ' that had been given them, and it had been greatly appreciated by his crew also. They had come to New Zealand under the auspices of Union Airways, which had developed services here so successfully that it might be regarded as the counter-part of Imperial Airways in the {southern Hemisphere. The flight of the Centaurus would, Captain Burgess hoped, be the forerunner of many services across the Tasman.

As he had crossed it that day, he could not help thinking that the real pioneer of the trans-Tasman service was Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.

Captain Burgess paid a glowing tribute to the helpful co-operation he had received from his crew.