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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 17 June 1932, Page 3

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“SMITHY’S” HONOUR KNIGHT WITHOUT A 85016 LUCRATIVE OFFERS ABROAD PROSPECT 01< APPOINTMENT SYDNEY, 10th June. The knighthood conferred on “Smithy, ’ ;is he will continue to lie known to till Australians, is certainly the most popular of the honours distributed 01T the Kind’s Birthday on tins side of the world. The great flyer himself received the news with characteristic modesty, and expressed some embarrassment tit the prospect of being addressed in future- as "Sir Charles.” An interview with the aviator’s wife which appear in the "Daily Telegraph” throws tin interesting light on the intimacies of “Smith’s” domestic existence. Ilis young wife made a charming “subject” for the interviewer. “I'm terribly glad for Charles’ sake,” she said on being told the good news by the reporter: and she went on to admit that the new title seemed a little oppressive to her. "I’ve often thought that I wasn't the right kind of wife for such an important man,’* she said, “and it’s worried me : but at least I’ve made him wear decent clothes.” She set off at once for Canberra—where “Smithy” was then ‘barn-storming,” as he terms it — “because,” she confided to the reporter, “if 1 don't watch him, lie’ll go to the Governor-General’s dinner on Saturday with golf socks on.” GREATEST AIRMAN OF ALL It is on record that Sir Charles Kingston! Smith appeared at the Governoi - General’s dinner, no doubt in correct clothes, and he was duly complimented and praised by the distinguished host and the guests. But he, in Turn, lias confided to the inevitable interviewjr that, while the honour is acceptable, he would very much like to get something more substantial in the form of a job. Over here it is regarded as nothing less than a. national scandal that this man, who is by the common consent of the world’s experts the greatest aviator of the age, lias been entirely neglected m his own country so far as occupation or employment is concerned. He is, as bis wife lias said, "really an awfully good Australian.” and be admits that lie lias had very lucrative offers lo go abroad. “I could have been a comparatively rich man aftc my Atlantic flight,” he told one reporter, “if T had consented to become a naturalised American and remain in the United States.” But lie nroferred bis own country—and though he has always been ready for employment here no opportunity has come his way.

A{ [lie time when he received news of Ids knighthood, the “greatest flyer on earth” was at the Federal Capital arranging to give lessions on aviation and taking up local residents for joyrides at 10s per head. This seems a positive disgrace to Australia, and it is good news lo learn that there is now somq chance for “Smithy” to secure tho posl of Controller of Civil Aviation for the Commonwealth. The present Controller. Colonel Brinsmead, was seriously injured in an aeroplane crash last Deeember, and it does not seem likely that he can take up such arduous duties again. “Smithy” is, as one newepapor says, “the logical successor,” and he certainly deserves the position. Moanlime he talks of living across lo New Zealand about September in the Southern Cross, to make a living out of passenger flights there, but everyone hopci that this will not he necessary. INFLUENCE ON AVIATION It is difficult- 1.0 exaggerate the influence (hat “Smithy’s” achievements have had upon the growth of aviation here. The other day it was announced that a lecturer on aeronautics at the Ultimo Technical College, Mr L. J. Jones, had designed and constructed a monoplane with a Sydney-made engine, and that with Mr Mitchell, a member of the iMosman Aero Club, lie means to attempt the Tasman flight. Tho machine was “tried out” the other day, and though the* aviator was forced to alight through some mishap, both the monoplane and the engine have received high praise from competent judges, and it is evidently (piile capable of carrying out its builder’s intention*.

Another illustration of the importance that aviation has already in tho life of the community was given Ibis week hv I')r. Poatc, a well-known Macquarie Street specialist, who flew from Mascot 250 miles to a remote country (own. performed an operation there to relieve concussion of the brain, and was hack in the city within ten hours. No wonder that the aeroplane is becoming. in the eyes of all up-to-date people, quite indispensable to modern progress.

| A cable received to-day stales that Mr Mitchell when testing out the machine mentioned above, crashed and was killed. ]