NOTABLE FLYERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22421, 16 November 1934, Page 10

NOTABLE FLYERS

CENTENARY AIRMEN WELCOMED HIGH TRIBUTE TO SQUADRONLEADER M'GREGOR (Per United Press Association) HASTINGS, November 15. “You are all, in my opinion, years too late. I knew that Squadron-leader M'Gregor was one of the finest pilots in the world years ago,” said Wing-com-mander Grant-Dalton, ex-Director of the Air Services in New Zealand, in a speech of welcome at the Hastings aerodrome to-day to Squadron-leader M'Gregor, Mr H. C. Walker, Squadron-leader Hewett, Flight-lieutenant Kay, and Mr 8. G. White, the young Havelock North airman who landed here on Tuesday after a leisurely flight from England to Sydney. Continuing, Mr Grant-Dalton said: “What Squadron-leader M'Gregor did was very fine, but it was no finer than what he did in the war, nor than he can do at any time. As he is a New Zealander you don’t realise it. If he had belonged to some other country you would realise it, but now you think he iff just an ordinary person.” Praise for Messrs White, Hewett and Kay was also expressed by Mr GrantDalton, who in reference to Messrs Hewett and Kay said their feat was only the beginning of a regular air service linking up this country with the rest of the world. • Other speakers who welcomed the flyers were Mr G. A. Maddison (Mayor of Hastings) and Mr A. E. Jull, member for Waipawa. Mr Jull said; "Eventually this country ■will have to take to the air whether it likes it or not.” As to Government assistance it was very desirable that there should be co-operation between the Government and the local authorities to ensure the laying out and maintenance of the best available aerodromes. All possible help should be given to the infant •industry of air transport. After advising Hawke’s Bay to try to obtain proper recognition, Mr Jull said in reference to the performances of the visiting pilots: • It seems as though this is only the beginning of a series of similar enterprises by which the Antipodes will be linked up with the rest of the world, and in which journeys which once Jook months will be performed in as many days.” THE DAMAGED PLANE REPAIRS BEING EFFECTED. - (Per United Press Association) PALMERSTON N., November 15. Aircraftsman R. Johnson, of Hoosonville, and the North Auckland Aero Chib’s ground engineer at Mangere, flew down from Auckland, arriving at Milson aerodrome late this afternoon, to commence the work of repairing the damage to the Dragon aeroplane. The work will be continued throughout the night, and it is stated that the engineers consider they have a fair chance of getting through with the job by mid-day to-morrow or early in the afternoon, •in which case Squadronleader Hewett and Flight-lieutenant Kay will leave for Auckland without further delay.