MR OSCAR GARDEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21199, 3 December 1930, Page 7

MR OSCAR GARDEN.

VISIT TO DUNEDIN. WELCOMED AT AERODROME. AN ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD, J? s , car harden, the hero of a notable _ flight from England to Austraha, is a New Zealander it can be claimed that he is a Dunedinite for when he arrived at the Otago Aero Club’s ground on the Taieri Plain last night he stated that he was especially pleased to visit Dunedin because he had settled i n rue city on hia arrival from Scotia™ 10 years ago. Afterwards he informed a Daily Times reporter that the ship which brought him to New Zealand, after a short stay at Bluff, had come to Dunedin, where he had remained for six months, living at Pine Hill. He had found employment as an electrician in the city before going north. Mr Garden left Oamaru at 5.30 yesterday for Dunedin, accompanied by Capwas piloting the Vacuum Oil Company’s plane. Shortly after 0 o clock Flying-officer Olsen left the aerodronm in the Otago Aero Club’s machine to bring them to Dunedin, the three planes meeting at Waitati. With Mr Garden’s plane Kia Ora, in which he made his 12,000 mile flight, in the centre the three machines flew over Dunedin and approached the aerodrome from the coast. The local machine was the first to land shortly after 0.30, and it was quickly followed by Captain Haig and then by Mr Garden. As the now famous aviator left his machine he was cheered by a crowd of about 1000. He was met by Mr H, E. Barrowclough (president of the Otago Aero Club) and the Deputy Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) and officially welcomed. Mr Barrowclough assured Mr Garden that all present were very pleased to see him arrive safely. The trip he hod jUfit made to Dunedin, after the long and arduous flight which he had undertaken, was a very small thing. The Aero Club, however, waa pleased to welcome him. Mr Garden had chosen a bad time for his arrival, but the interest of the people of Dunedin was shown by the large number present in spite of the fact that the aerodrome was so far from the city. He had pleasure in offering Mr Garden the freedom of the air port, young as it was.

Three cheers were given for the aviator. The Deputy Mayor heartily welcomed Mr Garden on behalf of the people of Dunedin and Otago. They had been specially interested in the flight because Mr Garden was one of themselves—a New Zealander. He had blazed the trail of Empire, from the Motherland to Australia. .The people of Dunedin congratulated him and assured him of the sincerity of their welcome. They regretted that ms stay was not to be long, and wished to serve him in every possible way. They appreciated the pluck and heroism which ho had shown in undertaking such a lonely and adventurous flight. Mr Garden, in reply, paid that he was astonished at seeing such a large crowd because he knew how far the aerodrome was from Dunedin, He did not want to eay anything about his flight, but he was pleased to be in Dunedin because h.e had been born in Scotland and had settled first in Dunedin when he had arrived in New Zealand 10 years ago. He was glad to be able to give some fillip to the aero clubs in New Zealand.

Immediately after he had spoken the aviator was rushed by a large crowd, all seeming to wish to shake his hand. Congratulations were showered upon him, and it was with difficulty that he was able to make his way back to his plane to obtain his luggage. • Mr Garden left by car for Dunedin Flying-officer Olsen stunted over the ground for the entertainment of the crowd. Mr Garden will remain in Dunedin until to-morrow, when he will fly to Invercargill. He will be accorded a civic reception to-day, and in the evening will be entertained by the Otago Aero Club. NOTED AMATEUR FLYER. MR GARDEN’S CAREER. Mr Garden was born in Scotland 27 years ago, and came to New Zealand with his family at the end of the war. He settled at Dunedin and then at Timaru, where his father, had a cordial factory. Later he came to Christchurch, opening a cycle shop at Spreydon, and later a garage at Southbridge. He then decided he would go to Australia, and purchased a garage at Double Bay, Sydney. Early this year he returned to New Zealand, and told his family he was going to England to learn to fly. He received his instruction in flying at the Norwich Aero Club, and had only 20 hours’ solo flying experience, and 14 days’ ground engineering and navigation instruction, when he decided to fly to Australia. Anxious to obtain his “ B ” license, he thought that he might as well gain the 100 hours’ flying experience necessary in a flight to Australia as in flying in England. He therefore traded in his motor car for a Moth plane. When he left England he had 41 hours’ flying experience, and on bis arrival in Sydney had increased that number to 197. In a brief description of his flight broadcast from Sydney on his arrival Mr Garden said that when he alighted from his aeroplane at Mascot he felt as fit as a fiddle. He had experienced a little weariness throughout the trip, except for the first two or three days, after which he got used to the cramped position in the cockpit. His longest hop in one day had been one of 1200 miles, and the average daily flight had been about 800 miles. The roughest part of the flight had been over the Continent, where be met most uncomfortable conditions, and gusty head winds. In fact, he had head winds all the way to Calcutta. Mr Garden added that he had depended solely on his compass and maps for navigation purposes. The Kia Ora was a second-hand machine, about 15 months old, and the engine had not missed a beat ail the way. His petrol consumption had been about 16 miles to the gallon, which he considered satisfactory. He might have obtained a slightly better average had it not been for the head winds to Calcutta.

He made few preparations for' the long journey to Australia. The following table shows the route taken and the days occupied on the journey:— October 17: Left Lympne Aerodrome (Kent), 6.17 a.m. October 22: Left Aleppo for Bagdad, October 24: Left Busnire for Jask.* October 28: At Calcutta. October 30; At Rangoon. November 2: In Java. November 3: At Bima. November 4: At Koepang. November 4: Arrived at Wyndhatn (Australia). Total flight, England to Australia—--18 days.

The distance which Mr Garden covered was about 12,000 miles. At the commencement of his journey he stated that he was not out to break records, but would fly in leisurely stages to the Commonwealth, On landing in Australia, 18 days after the commencement of his journey, he attained third fastest time for the whole journey. Garden landed at Wyndham, a spot which is considered by experienced aviators as a very difficult landing point.

WELCOME AT ASHBURTON. (Pei Dotted Press Association.) ASHBURTON, December 2, A large gathering greeted Mr Oscar Garden on his arrival en route to Dunedin, An official -welcome was extended by the mayor, the county chairman, and Mr D, Jones, M.P. Mr Garden was entertained at lunch by the Aero Club. His plane, the Kia Ora, was escorted from Christchurch by five others. He left for Oamaru at 1.30, Captain Haigh accompanying him.