AIRMAN'S VISIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 8 December 1930, Page 2

AIRMAN'S VISIT

WEATHER DELAYS ARRIVAL MR GARDEN EXPECTS TO MAKE TRIP THIS AFTERNOON

Mr Oscar Garden, the New Zealand aviator who recently flew from England to Australia, left Timaru early this morning for Nelson. However, he encountered low clouds on the coast and had to fly very low to Christchurch. As the clouds were down to 400 to 500 feet on the East Coast it was not considered advisable to continue the journey after breakfast. Mr Garden, in the Kia Ora and Captain Haig in the Plume intended to leave Sockburn this afternoon for Blenheim, where Captain Chandler and Miss P. Bennett, in two Blenheim Aero Club 'planes, were to join them in their flight to Nelson. At 12.30 p.m. Blenheim had not been notified the time of Mr Garden's departure from Sockburn. It will take about three,hours for the airmen to reach Nelson from Sockburn, via Blenheim, where the machines will refuel. If the 'planes arrive late this afternoon the evening's programme as previously am.nged will be carried out. An official dinner will be held at 7 p.m. at the Commercial Hot.el and afterwards the visitors will be the guests of the Scottish Society at a social and dance in the Velma Hall. If the flyers arrive early enough Mr Garden will be brought to town and a civic reception will be tendered at the Council Chambers at 5 p.m.

FLYERS LEAVE CHRISTCHURCH

Word has been received that Mr Garden and Captain Haig left Sockburn for Blenheim at about 1 o'clock. They were expected to arrive in Nelson soon after 4 o'clock. The landing will be made in the paddock opposite tho Freezing Works at Stoke. Arrival at kaikoura n The two machines landed at Kaikoura at 2.35 o'clock in order to get a report on the weather up the coast to Blenheim.