CENTENARY AIRMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21990, 22 December 1934, Page 10

CENTENARY AIRMEN

MEDALLIONS PRESENTED GIFTS TO AUCKLAND CREW The three Aucklanders who competed in the Centenary air race are among the fliers from various countries to whom gold medallions have been awarded by Sir Macpherson Robertson, donor of the prizes for the contest. The medallions were presented yesterday, on behalf of the donor, by Mr. G. W. Hutchison, Ma.\or of Auckland, to Flying-Officer C. K. Kay, and Mr. L. W. Swan, secretary of the committee which entered the Auckland machine. Mr. Swan received the medallions. won by Squadron-Leader J. 1). Hewett and Mr. F. Stewart, who wero unable to attend. The function, which was held in the Mayor's room at the Town Hall, was attended by representatives of the New Zealand Centenary Air Race Committee and officers of the Auckland Aero Club. In a letter to the Mayor, Sir Macpherson explained that he had originally intended to present a medallion to the pilot of each machine to reach Melbourne, but he had since decided to include everybody 011 board each aeroplane that completed the course. The Mayor said he wished to express the keen pleasure felt by everyone at the successful termination of the flight made by the Auckland entrants, and he referred particularly to the crossing of the Tasman Sea after the race proper had been completed. He felt sure now that the machine, which embodied all the latest developments, was in Auckland, it would be a to aviation in the Dominion. Flying-Officer Kay said two New Zealand machines were among the nine that finished. Although the Auckland crew did not do as well as it had hoped, it had done its best. He expressed gratitude to Sir Macpherson and also to the entrants of the Auckland machine.