CALL OF THE AIR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21391, 16 January 1933, Page 6

CALL OF THE AIR

YOUNG MAN'S ENTERPRISE JOINS THE SOUTHERN CROSS AUCKLAND STUDENT'S AMBITION Exceptional enterprise and a wonderful enthusiasm for aviation are the salient features of a story connected with last week's flight of the Southern Cross from Australia to New Zealand. It concerns an Auckland University College student Mr. E. F. Harvie, son of the Rev. F ' G. Harvie, vicar of St. Barnabas', Mount Eden. When Sir Charles Kingsford Smith first intimated his intention of flying to New ' Plymouth, Mr. Harvie conceived the idea of travelling about the country with the Southern Cross and its famous pilot. So ' in August last he wrote to Sir Charles-' and offered his services in return for the privilege. Ho told the airman that he would pay his own expenses and that he was prepared to do any work from "watchman to ticket-collector." When Mr. Wilfred Kingsford Smith arI rived in Auckland he interviewed Mr. Harvie. "I was impressed with the young man and his very evident enthusiasm for aviation," said Mr. Smith, when the matter was referred to him last week by a Taranaki Daily News reporter. "So I took him on. He will be able to sleep in the Southern Cross at the different centres we visit if he wishes to save expense, for the machine offers good accommodation. By travelling from place to place in the Southern Cross he will gain a good idea of the individualities of each town, and, more important from his point of view, he should be able to pick up a lot of useful information regarding aircraft." In return he assists us by taking bookings and attending to tickets. Yes, I was impressed by bis enterprise." Mr. Harvie states that he had been interested in flying since 1922 when he first saw a machine at Messrs. Walsh Bros.' school at Kohimarama. He had always been keen on aviation and it was his hope to enter the aircraft trade. Withthat object in view he had studied modern languages, first at Wanganui Collegiate School and later at Auckland University College. , 'f- r "There seemed to be so many young fellows taking their pilot's ticket that I felt there would be nothing in the game unless I had something more," said Mr. Harvie. "I have done French and Spanish ' and hop© to complete the German course. I desire to spend a year on the Continent to make sure that the languages will be > of some use. That means three months in France, Germany, Spsiin and will then attempt to get a position as sales representative in South America or on the Continent for a firm of British aeroplane manufacturers." Although Mr. Harvie has done a lot of flying as a passenger, he has not yet learned to pilot a machine himself. He is to commence tuition this year and intends to endeavour to gain his B ticket before leaving the Dominion. But he seeks more than merely a pilot's certificate, and as soon as possible he hopes to gain his ground engineer's certificates. With such practical knowledge of flying and the command of several languages he then hopes to enter the aircraft tracle.