"GOOD-BYE, MARLBOROUGH!"

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10688, 7 September 1920, Page 7

"GOOD-BYE, MARLBOROUGH!"

AIRMEN FLYING SOUTH. CAPTAIN DICKSON LIONISED. (Special Correspondent.) BLENHEIM, September A. Marlborough weather has prevailed during the week of Captain Dickson's visit in his aeroplane, and over 200 passengers were carried. The airmen departed,for,,the south this morning, taking as a passenger to Kaikoura, Mrs E.'Limbrick. of Blenheim. Fine; calm weather prevailed, and the machine was piloted from the green sward so simply and skilfully that she was a tiny speck amid white, shining clouds above the Vernon Hills in one minute, from leaving tho ground. Cheers for the airmen and their, passenger, were given. As the engine_ began to roar, and the mechanic climbed into his place, Captain Dickson closed the throttle, and in the lull the onlookers saw his smiling face, while ho cried ""Good-bve, Marlborough, the* Golden 1" -

An hour before /their departure Captain Dickson and Mr J. E. Moore were farewelled by Marlborough citieens, headed bv the Mayor and the chairman of the Chamber of, Commerce. As tokens of appreciation of tho airmen's courtesy and skill, wellfilled wallets were presented to them. In brief, happy speeches, the Mayor and others spoke of the enterprise.;daring and skill of the aviator, who in his reply said that Marlborough was well-named, "Tho Golden.'" He would carry in his heart a pleasant memory of his first visit, .and hoped to return soon.

During hia ' stay in Marlborough Captain Dickson has been entertained at dinner in Blenheim and Picton, and was compelled to refuse invitations to call at other placeß. Owiug to the scarcity of suitable landing places at Picton", he was motored there first, hut had to reluctantly report that owing [to the high hills and rough ground it was impassible to fly his machine from ft has© near tho Sounds. He said, however, that seaplanes could ho used in the Sounds, and suggested that when Marlboroimh goes into aviation a flying-boat should bo bought for use in the Sounds and about Cook Strait. The Progress • Committee here is going into the question of providing a hangar for the use of visiting machines, from which they could be flown when rcnulred, to larger areas on tho lower Wairau Plain, for tho purposes of public, displays and passcnger flights. " '