VETERAN BANKER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23500, 14 May 1938, Page 24

VETERAN BANKER

GIFT OF AIR FORCE BOMBER WANTS FIRST RIDE IN IT :From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, May 7. There has been no attempt to organise a fund which would support the gifts of £IOO given by a few sporting clubs and some citizens to buy aeroplanes for the defence of Australia, but rich men and poor continue to make contributions. In contrast to thegift of an aged Pole of some old coins which he thought valuable but which realised only 11s, the Federal Government this week received £ 10,500 from a rich banker. This sum, the cost of a bombing plane of the latest type, was given by the 89-years-old Sir Thomas Buckland, who, until last year, was chairman of the Bank of New South Wales.

Announcing the gift, the Prime Minister, Mr Lyons, expressed the Government’s appreciation of Sir Thomas Buckland’s patriotic action. The bomber would be ordered immediately and should reach Australia in a few months.

Mr Lyons said that Sir Thomas Buckland had sent to the Government Commonwealth stocks, with a face value of £10,500. In making the gift, Sir Thomas expressed the hope that others would follow his example. The machine will be named the “Sir Thomas Buckland.’’ Sir Thomas Buckland is the oldest knight in Australia. He has had a picturesque business career. After experience in the office of his uncle, Thomas Buckland, a merchant, in Victoria, he became a mining assayed and went as a miner to Gympie, Queensland, when gold was discovered there in 1867. He joined the Bank of New South Wales as an assayer, but resigned in 1872 to manage gold mines at Charters Towers. He is a director of a number of Australian companies, besides the bank.

41 The greatest thrill since I earned my first salary rise 74 years ago,” said Sir Thomas Buckland, describing his reactions to the news that the bomber would be named after him. 44 Now, if I were invited to take the first ride in it—well, I would consider that a real thrill.” Sir Thomas had his first air trip nine months ago. He said he liked it so much he went up again. 44 1 made the gift because I think Australia’s national defence lies in her air strength,” he said. 4 1 am a keen admirer of our Air Force, and our flyers should have the best in aircraft.”