THE TASMAN AVIATOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21242, 24 January 1931, Page 8

THE TASMAN AVIATOR.

TOUR OF NORTH ISLAND. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON/ January 23. The aviator, Mr Guy Menzies, and party left Rongotai ’drome at 9.30 a.m. for Auckland, via Masterton and Hastings. MR MENZIES AT HASTINGS. AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. (Pee United Press Association.) HASTINGS, January 23. Three planes, piloted respectively by Mr Guy Menzies, Captain Mercer, and Captain Barlow, arrived at the Hastings aerodrome shortly before 4 o’clock this afternoon. On landing the Tasman filer' was given a vociferous reception by a crowd numbering thousands, assembled to welcome him, demonstrating clearly how his great, lone flight has won for him universal admiration. Three Hastings machines set out at 3 o’clock to meet the visiting airmen and escort them to the aerodrome, but missed them in the distant clouds, and the welcomng ceremony was over when they returned. Mr O’Dowd, chairman of the East Coast Aero Club, eulogised Mr Menzies for his courage and determination. He was also accorded a civic reception by the Mayor. The visiting fliers will leave to-morrow morning for Auckland in time to take part in the pageant being held there. Two Hastings planes left for Auckland this morning to compete in the pageant events. THE BOMBING SQUADRON. ON ITS WAY TO AUCKLAND. NORTH ISLAND AIR PAGEANT. (Per United Press Association.) BLENHEIM, January 23. The N.R.2 bombing squadron of four machines, under Captain M’Gregor, left for Auckland via Hawera at 10 o’clock this morning. WELLINGTON, January 23. Four aeroplanes belonging to No. 2 Wellington squadron left Blenheim today for Auckland on a service flight. On Wednesday Captain G. L. Stedman, pilot instructor to the Wellington Aero Club, flew to Blenheim to assist in the training of the eight pilots who had assembled preparatory to the flight, and yesterday the airmen, some of whom had done no flying for a while, were engaged in short flights and general instruction. Captain Stedman returned at 5.30 yesterday afternoon. The squadron, led by Squad-ron-leader M, C. M’Gregor, will be away for about a week. The machines will take part in the air pageant at Auckland to-morrow. The official North Island air pageant this year will be held at Masterton on Saturday, March 14, under the joint control of the Wairarapa and the Hawke’s Bay Aero Clubs. It is expected that between 20 and 30 aeroplanes will participate, including a number of Air Force machines. The Wellington Aero Club will probably be represented by two machines