BLAZING THE TRAIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 28

BLAZING THE TRAIL.

TOUR OF dominion. AIRMEN’S GREAT FEAT. WELLINGTON'S APPRECIATION. WELLINGTON, September 17. Scenes of the wildest enthusiasm took place at the city’s welcome to the aviators in the Town Hall to-day at noon. Seats were filled at an early hour, and a crowd Numbering thousands stood outside listening to the speeches projected from loud speakers. Seldom has such a sight been seen as when the aviators entered the Town Hall and the audience rose as one man and cheered themselves hoarse. The hall doors were to have been opened officially at 10.30, but they were actually opened at 8 o'clock, and the hall began to fill. By half-past 8 there were perhaps 100 people inside, and from then on a steady filling took place. By 10 o’clock the gallery was half full, and 30 minutes or so later there were no seats upstairs. By 11 there were no seats anywhere, and very soon after that the standing room was mostly used up. At 12 o’clock the guests of honour arrived, and at their entrance there was a tremendous outburst of cheering, clapping, stamping, and any kind of a ha ! noise, with the organ triumphing over all that the crowd of 4000 could do. The progress made through the hall was slow, for everyone within reaching distance shook hands or tried to. The cheering swelled again as the guests stood on the platform and acknowledged the great reception. “ Four little inmates from the hospital.” said the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup), “will now place wreaths on our distinguished visitors.” The wreaths were handsome laurel ones, and each child placed a wreath round one of the aviator’s necks, necessitating a stoop or two, and incidentally caresses by the recipients, to the delight of the crowd. The speakers were the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup), the Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland), the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr J. C. Cobbe), the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr A. Fletcher). Cr W. 11. Bennett, and Major T. M. Wilkes, (director of air services), besides the four airmen. Tumultuous applause punctuated the speeches, but the audience showed impatience to hear the last-named four speak. The Mayor, in his opening address, said he could safely say that never before in that hall or in Wellington had there been a more enthusiastic assembly. He referred to the guests as “ gentlemen of the air,” and extended his hearty congratulations. He referred to the signifb cance of the flight to New Zealand. It had been made in the very, worst month of the year. It had proved something to be now practicable which hitherto had been only a supposition. - It had blazed the trail, and others might now more safely follow. He thought that the time was not far distant when there would be a regular air service between New Zealand and Australia. Referring to the nationality of the flyers, he said it must be very pleasing to the returned soldiers to know that all four were “ diggers.” The Mayor also thanked the airmen ■ for their call over Wellington when flying to Christchurch. He also thanked them for their advice in regard to a landing ground at Lyall B:r and he had convened a meeting for tomorrow with a view to the establishment of an aviation club .in Wellington. He wished them God-speed in their future movements. Mr Coates, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, expressed gratitude in regard to the safe arrival of the airmen in New Zealand. Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) also welcomed the aviators. Besides the packed hall, thousands of people occupied the streets outside the hall, and .listened to the speeches by means of amplifiers. Amidst a tumultuous reception, Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith said he had never faced a more enthusiastic crowd. They came not as heroes, but as friends. The warmth of the feeling between New Zealand and Australia was wonderful. That morning they had visited Mrs Moncrieff (mother of the gallant aviator), and they regarded this meeting as a great honour. Flight-Lieutenant Ulm said they had taken great pains over the flight, and when they left they knew they would be successful. If they bad not thought so they would not have come. He urged the people of Wellington to get behind tlie project to establish an air port. Messrs M’William and. Litchfield also thanked the people for their wonderful reception. The reception was concluded by the singing of the National Anthem and cheers and, not accordinsr to programme, by a wild mobbing of the four men right through the hall, through the vestibule, and up to the Mayor’s room by hundreds who all wanted to shake hands, clap the two pilots on the back, and make a still bigger fuss than they could by mere cheering and clapping. It is a long time sine’ Wellington so warmed up and crowded so much enthusiasm into a single hour. GOVERNMENT LUNCHEON. j. The official Government luncheon in honour of the h&roes of the transTasman flight took place at Parliament House. The Prime Minister (Air J. G. Coates) presided, others at the principal table being Squadron-Leader KingsfordSmith, Flight-Lieutenant Ulm. Mr Litchfield, and Mr M’William, The Speakers of both Chambers of the Legislature (Sir Walter Carncross and Sir Charles Statham), members of the Cabinet, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland). the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup), Sir Joseph Ward, and the Leader of the Nationalist Party (Mr G. W. Forbes). A representative gathering, of 183 persons included members of the Legislative Council, members of Parliament, heads of Government departments, and representatives of various professions and prominent institutions. On behalf of the Government. Mr Coates presented Souadron-Leader Kings-ford-Smith with a film of the arrival of the Southern Cross, and wished him “ Haere ra haere ra and a safe return to the Homeland.”

AN INTERESTING CEREMONY. A lively but interesting little ceremony’ took place this morning at the offices of the Wellington Harbour Board, when the arrival of the Southern Cross over Wellington Harbour was duly recorded and attested in the board's log book. Under the date of September 10 was recorded the arrival of the Southern Cross monoplane from San Fr.anci.4co, Honolulu, Suva, Brisbane, Sydney. Times of arrival 7.15 a.m.: departure 7.20 a.m. This entry was signed by Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith and his companions. BRIDGING THE TASMAN. FLIGHT-LIEUTENANT ULM'S VIEWS. WELLINGTON, September 17. A confident note regarding the future establishment of an aerial mail service between Australia and New Zealand was struck by’ Flight-Lieutenant Ulm during the course of his remarks at the State lunchean to the trans-Tasman aviators today. Flight-Lieutenant Ulm had been describing the conditions met with on the flight from Suva to Brisbane, when the aviators were brought to know what storms really were. Crossing the Tasman Sea the plane had to climb to an altitude of 8500 feet when one storm was approached, and practically every part of the Southern Cross was below freezing point. Since arriving in New Zealand they had tried to calculate the weight of the ice that had formed on the wings of «he machine. Taking into consideration the spread of the wings and their breadth and the fact that observation showed that the ice was at least an inch thick, they had worked it out that there was about half a ton-spf ice on the machine. They were of opihion that had they risen to a height of 15,000 feet they would have escaped the storms. “ The natural question regarding these flights is: Why do it? ” said Flight-Lieu-tenant Ulm. “ One answer is natural ambition. and another is a love of flying, but there is the scientific side. We know now that for a mail service we want a flying boat—a machine different from the Southern Cross and one capable of attaining an altitude of 15,000 feet. Again, provision must be made for heating those portions of the machine which might have ice formed on them; and let me tell you that it is our fixed opinion that there is no necessity to go outside the BritishEmpire for the machine that will give the service.”—(Loud applause.) Flight-Lieutenant Ulm added that he and Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith had always believed it would be possible to establish an aerial mail service across the Tasman, and their flight in the Southern Cross had confirmed their belief. In any established service they felt now that it would be wise to use the maximum amount of daylight, and in the summer it would be possible to do practically the whole flight in daylight. He hoped that aviation would benefit from their experimental flight, and any information they had gained would be gladly handed over to the authorities in New Zealand.

WITH THE “DIGGERS.” PRESENTED WITH GOLD BADGES. WELLINGTON, September 17. At a large and enthusiastic gathering of i eturned men to-day, Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith, Flight-Lieutenant Ulm, Mr H. A. Litchfield, and Mr T. H 'i were-presented with the gold badges of honorary life membership of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. .The president of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr W. Perry), as chairman, welcomed the airmen as fellow J “ diggers,” and mentioned that the association was sending by the Southern Cross on its return flight to Sydney a cordial reply to the Australian soldiers’ greetings brought bv Squad-ron-Leader Kingsford-Smith. Mr Perry said the names of the four airmen would m bistoxy with those of Columbus, Tasman, and Cook. He congratulated them on awakening the “ air sense ” in New Zealand. The aviators were loudly cheered when replying. They all thanked the Returned Soldiers Association for the great honour done them. Squadron-Leader KingsfordSmith expressed his great pleasure at being amongst the “diggers.” He said the best digger ”of the lot was the Prime Minister, who had proved himself o, l J'n Ue -’i*fl’S8 er >” “because he gave us 2000 quid. The airmen will leave Trenthain at 10 a.m. to-morrow for Hawera, where they will arrive about moon. They will leave Hawera about 2 p.m. direct for Auckland and arrive there about 4. On the journey they will fly over as many towns as possible without too much deviation, lhey will show themselves over Wanganui, and they will visit Rotorua by car from Auckland.

AT THE RACES.

AIRMAN ACTS AS STARTER. WELLINGTON, September 17. Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith offici* ated in a new capacity when at the trotting meeting on Saturday he acted as starter in the Stewards’ Handicap, and ' gave the field excellent despatch. He and his comrades were received with the usual speeches, and had an enthusiastic welcome from the crowd. To-day they will attend a civic reception, followed by a Government luncheon. Later on they will meet the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Early to-morrow they will leave for Hawera, where they expect to arrive in time for lunch, and then depart for Auckland.

THE RETURN JOURNEY.

POINT OF DEPARTURE. BLENHEIM, September 17. - The Marlborough Aero Club has lost no time in undertaking the minor improvements required at Fairhall Farm, four miles from Blenheim Post Office, which will be the point of departure of the

Southern Cross for Australia, and the Power Board is in possession of a gigantic flood light which will be used to light the whole area of the great fjeld at night, thus enabling the guards to detect any unauthorised persons who may be afoot. This light is so powerful, according to the Power Board’s engineers, that, if necessary, the flyers would be able to get away from the field well before dawn. A temporary hangar to accommodate the Southern Cross is being built, and it is anticipated that by the time she arrives here on the 28th the landing field will be like a lawn, while every possible facilitj' will be available for tuning up the great machine. Elaborate arrangements are now being worked out for the control of the enormous traffic which is anticipated. It is probable that the Union Company will run special excursions from Wellington to enable people to witness the machines arrival on the 28th. and either return to Wellington that night or remain here to see her depart on the morning of the 30th.

THIRD STAGE COMPLETED. RECEPTION AT HAWERA. HAWERA, September 18. A gathering of spectators estimated at 10,000, drawn from all parts of Taranaki, accorded an inspiring ovation to the famous crew of the Southern Cross when, they landed at the Hawera racecourse .at 12.20 this afternoon. The landing marked the completion of the third stage of the air journey from Christchurch to Auckland in the three Bristol fighters. Today’s trip from Wellington occupied two hours 10 minutes against a stiff nor’wester. The flight was to have been resumed at 2 o’clock, but owing to the threat, of bad weather, which later materialised in a thunder and rainstorm from the north, the departure was postponed until to-morrow morning. Captain Findlay (New Zealand Air Force), with Mr H. A. Litchfield as passenger, led the other planes to the landing ground. Squadron-Leader KingsfordSmith, with Flight-Lieutenant Ulin in the rear cockpit, planed down a minute later, followed at a similar interval by Captain Buckley _ (New Zealand Air Force), with Mr T. H. M'William as a passenger. The successful landing of all three planes was completed within two minutes'. As the niachines taxied to the refilling point a big portion of the crowd rushed across the enclosure shouting greetings to “ Smithy.” Tumultous cheering marked the passage of . the aviators in the cars along the straight to the grand stand, where a civic reception was accorded them. v Welcoming the airmen, the Mayor (Mr E. A. Pacey) expressed the pride and admiration felt by the Taranaki people in common with the rest of New Zealand in the great achievement of the Southern Cross crew. Deafening cheers from the crowd greeted Squadron-Leader KingsfordSmith, who expressed thanks for the overwhelming reception which, he said, accorded with the cordial spirit experienced in other centres since their arrival in New Zealand. Flight-Lieutenant Ulin and Mr Litchfield also spoke. Flight-Lieutenant Smith apologised for the absence of Mr M’William, who had been lost in the crowd and had' failed to reach the dais. A spectacular feature of the reception was a haka rendered by 20 Maoris, stripped to the waist, and wearing head adornments of flax and piu pius dandling from the waist to the knees. The haka was followed by a welcome voiced fluently on behalf of the Maori people by the Rev. R. T. Haddon, a direct descendant of Turi, captain of the canoe Aotea. He said:— “ You are the men who have blazed the trail across the chartless «kies. We are the children of the men who blazed a trail across the chartless ocean over 1000 years ago. Therefore we welcome you and wish that you may be always prosperous.” He concluded by draping a presentation piu pin over the shoulders of Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith. Fifty representatives of local bodies throughout the province assembled at the luncheon given in honour of the visit of the aviators, the toasts of “ Our Guests ’’ and “ Air Force ” being sponsored respectively by the Mayor and Mr E. Dixon (president of the Chamber of Commerce). Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith and Mr Litchfield responded, the former commending Hawera on its possession of a good landing ground for aeroplanes. Earlier in the ceremony Mrs A. Illingworth, of Alton, a sister of the late Captain Hood, was presented to the party.

A FLYING VISIT. FIVE MINUTES OVER WANGANUI. WANGANUI, September 18. Precisely at 11.30 this morning hundreds of Wanganui residents were thrilled by the appearance, on the horizon of three black specks which looked like rapidly moving birds. The crowds who gazed upwards knew better, however, for they had been waiting for an hour for the arrival of the three Bristol fighters carrying the Tasman air heroes. The clanging of the firebell in Cook’s Gardens proclaimed to the people of Wanganui that the aeroplanes were in sight and thousands of pairs of eyes were glued on to a bank of clouds on the horizon whence the machines were expected to emerge. They saw what looked like three dragonflies gliding slowly at first in the distance, but seemingly increasing in speed as they approached the city. Then the outline of the aeroplanes could be discerned, and soon they were softly wheeling with muted engines over Durie Hill. Steamers and railway engines hooted greetings. Factory buzzers were sounded, and a fire siren' shrieked out its appreciation of the airmen’s courtesy call. The bedlam of noise brought back memories of Armistice Day. Men, women, and children cried out their welcome, and if Squadron-Leader KingsfortFSmith and his comrades could have heard the cheers above the roar of the engine.s they would have been immensely pleased. On reaching the city the planes broke their flying formation, one plane heading for. Aramoho, another for Wanganui East, while, the third climbed high over the city itself. The plane which flew lowest was that occupied by Squadron-Leader ' Kingsford-Smith and Flight-Lieutenant i Ulm. This machine, returning from Ara-

moho, flew low down over the river, thence over the racecourse to Gonville and Castlecliff. The others continued to circle over the city, making for St. John’s Hill and Westmere, while Squadron-Lcadcr Kingsford-Smith was fjkving the Gonville Schoolchildren the thrill of their young lives. The other two planes circled several times over St. John’s Hill while waiting for Squadron-Leader KingsfordSmith’s plane to fly over Castlecliff. When the planes were over Westmere they retheir formation and headed for Hawera. The flyers bad come and were gone in a little more than five minutes. At 20 minutes to 12 they were out of sight. Several hundred people went to Durie Hill, where an excellent view was obtained from the heights and also from the lift' and memorial towers. Those who had field glasses picked up the first aeroplane a long way down the coast, and then for a time it was lost to view in a cloud. A short interval elapsed before the planes came into view, the three then flying in triangular form. Evidently it was fairly bumpy aloft, for the planes had by no means level going. They came on straight over the towers, and then commenced to circle the city. When passing over the Durie Hill tower Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith’s plane dipped as an acknowledgment to the welcome that was being accorded him.

AERO CLUB IN WELIJNGTON. THE FIRST STEP. WELLINGTON, September 18. At a meeting to-day, attended by about 100 people, and presided over by the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup), it was decided to form a Wellington aero club. Details are to be arranged by a committee which was set up to bring down a report. The locality of the club is likely to be Lvall Bay. Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm to-day stated that they desired for themselves, and on behalf of their colleagues, Messrs Litchfield and M’William, publicly to thank the people of New Zealand for the magnificent welcome accorded them. ARRIVAL IN AUCKLAND. SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM. AUCKLAND, September 19. In perfect weather the three Bristol planes reached the landing ground at Ihumata (10 miles from Auckland). They were welcomed by a large crowd. The planes, in close formation, were sighted from the aerodrome at 9.15 a.m. They were over the aerodrome at 9.19. The plane piloted by Captain Findlay landed at 9.21. It was followed by Captain Buckley's machine at 9.29. Two minutes later Squadron-Leader Kings-ford-Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm landed. Approaching the aerodrome Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith did a loop and a roll, and pulled up in a much shorter distance than did the other machines. There were great scenes of enthusiasm the airmen being welcomed by the Mayor of Auckland (Mr G. Baildon), to whom Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith expressed his regret at being unable to make Auckland yesterday against the strong wind. From Hawera the trip was very cold. He remarked: “ I am shivering still. We had clouds at, 1000 feet nearly all the way, and we could not go higher.” In cars decked with bunting and featuring zlustralian flowers (the wattle and the waratah), the visiting airmen led a triumphal procession to the city The whole route was lined with cheering spectators. On their arrival at the Grand Hotel the airmen had another enthusiastic reception. Standing on the balcony, Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith, lifting his glass, called out “ Good luck and cheerio.” The crowd, after a burst of cheering, melted away. The flying time was 2h smin. The planes averaged close on 90 miles an hour. They had petrol for another 50 or 60 miles. The airmen said they had come over the best flying country they had seen in New Zealand. ■“ It beats Christchurch, what we have seen of it,” they remarked in unison.

A ROUND OF VISITS. MR M'WILLIAM KISSED. AUCKLAND, September 19. The Southern Cross crew arrived at Auckland early this morning,. being welcomed at the landing ground some miles out of the city by enthusiastic crowds. They were driven to the Grand Hotel escorted by motor cycles and cars, being cheered by groups here and tLcre on the way. — The hotel was gaily decorated, and the airmen made their way inside between the cheering onlookers. Mr M’William (wireless operator) was kissed by several women en route, and entered the front door blushingvividly. In the course of brief speeches from the balcony the airmen that they liked New Zealand girls. At the civic reception at noon a huge crowd assembled, ano great enthusiasm was shown. The speeches of the airmen covered ground already traversed by them. At the request' of SquadronLeader Kingsford-Smith the great gathering which filled the Town Hall stood for a few moments as a tribute to the memory of Captain Hood and Lieutenant Moncrieff who lost their lives in attempting to fly the Tasman. A visit to the Commercial Travellers’ Club followed, and one cf the visitors, in addressing the gathering, said that the commercial travellers would be the airmen of the future. The''proceedings at the club were informal and enthusiastic.

This afternoon Squadron-Leader Kings-ford-Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm visited Point Chevalier School and planted five trees to commemorate the flight. -While Squadron-Leader Kings-ford-Smith was listening to the speeches of welcome he saw a small boy regarding him from below the dais with rapt admiration. Stooping down, he picked up the youngster and placed him on his knee, where a very awed but proud child remained until th proceedings terminated. Addressing the children, SquadronLeader Kingsford-Smith said he saw them waving the British flag. If they kept waving it and respected it they would come to no harm. - The airmen left amid cheers, having made another and complete conquest of the young folk. The Aero Club entertained the visitors at dinner to-night. A visit to a cabaret followed, and then bed.

NEW ZEALAND’S WELCOME. AIRMEN’S APPRECIATION. WELLINGTON, September 19. The Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) has received the fojlowing letter from Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm:— We desire to express to you, and, through you, to the Government and the people of New Zealand our very sincere thanks for the warm welcome and the many courtesies extended to us during our stay in your country. We particularly appreciate the honour you have conferred upon us in making us the guests of the Government during our stay, and also for your courtesy in placing Air Force niachines at our disposal, and also free telegraphic facilities. We particularly thank you for the services of Mr D. Ardell, of the Department of Internal Affairs, whose presence with us throughout our tour of New Zealand has helped us very considerably. We thank you also for the sincere manner in which you have expressed appreciation of our work, and desire to assure you that if our flight across the Tasman has done even the smallest thing to cement further the friendship existing between the Commonwealth of Australia and your Dominion we are more than amply repaid. Your wonderful generosity in* granting us the sum of £2OOO is appreciated to the fullest, and we would like you to know, sir, that grants such a’s these make it possible for us to continue with our self-appointed task of furthering the science of aviation and air navigation. Me would like to assure you also, sir, that w’e shall take great pleasure in informing oui' Minister, our Government, and the people of Australia of the wonderful welcome and the many courtesies that have been extended to-us in New Zealand, and in advance, on their behalf, would assure you that all that has been done to us here will be greatly appreciated by them also. AERO CLUB DINNER. CO-COMMAN DERS’ GENEROSITY. AUCKLAND, September 19. At the Aero Club dinner the. cocommanders of the Southern Cross made a. donation of 20gns as a first subscription for a third Moth aeroplane for the club. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith paid a tribute to the permanent staff of the New Zealand Air Force and expressed the hope that this branch of the service would soon be independent of the army forces.

VISIT TO ROTORUA. GREAT ENTHUSIASM SHOWN. ROTORUA, September 20. The Tasman aviators arrived at 4.30 p.m., and were accorded an enthusiastic reception by members of the Borough Council and the public at the Government Bathhouse. The Mayor (Mr J. N. M’Lean) welcomed the visitors, who responded, their speeches being recorded bv a loud speaker to the great crowd. The evening was spent at the Government Bathhouse, at a Maori entertainment, and at the Orphans’ Club. To-morrow the airmen will visit the local sights, and will leave for Wairakei in the late morning. Seldom has such a spontaneous and hearty welcome been given to the visitors, crowds filling the streets to a late hour to catch a glimpse of the flyers. THE RETURN FLIGHT. PETROL SUPPLY AT BLENHEIM. BLENHEIM, September 20. The '9OO gallons of petrol to be used by the Southern Cross on the flight from Blenheim to Sydney arrived this morning, together with the special pumping gear to fuel the machine. VISIT TO WANGANUI. ARRIVAL ON SUNDAY RESENTED. WANGANUI, September 21. A meeting of the Anglican clergy at Wanganui to-day passed a resolution protesting against the arrival of the Tasman flyers on Sunday on grounds similar to those put forward at Christchurch recently by- the Ministers’ Association. DEPARTURE FROM AUCKLAND. AN ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF. AUCKLAND, September 23. The Southern Cross airmen * were accorded a wonderful send-off from Auck-

land to-day. A crowd of approximately 15,000 people gathered at the Ihuinata’o landing ground and cheered Mie aviators vociferously as they took the air on their departure for Hawera and V'anganui. The party left the Grand Hotel at 11.30 a.m., accompanied by expressions of goodwill from the large crowd which thronged Princes street. Preceded by a traffic inspector on a motor cycle, the cars made good progress over the 15 miles to the landing gtound, though the roads were choked for a great distance by an endless stream of traffic making for the lauding ground. A great demonstration of spontaneous enthusiasm awaited the aviators on their arrival at the ground. The police had kept a passage way through the crowded grass slopes, and down this avenue the cars slowly made their way, subjected on both sides to a barrage of cheers, brandished hats, waving handkerchiefs, and coloured streamers. Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith’s first concern on alighting was to question the Air Force mechanics who had slept beside the three Bristol fighters for three nights, regarding the running trim of the machines. _ Reassured on this point, he followed his companions into a tent, where a hasty lunch was consumed. No time was lost in taking off. As soon as the arrival of the airmen at the ground was signalled, the mechanics started up the three engines, and while the final handshakes and farewells were being exchanged the machines purred steadily, the three propellers whirring in unison. Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith, before taking his seat, shook hands with Corporal Russell, head mechanic at the Hobsonville air base, who had supervised the overhaul and attended to the planes while they were at the landing ground, and thanked him for the care and attention he had bestowed upon them. When he took off, Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith had in his pocket a miniature leather kiwi, the gift of friends in the Auckland Aero Club. He will take it back to Australia in the Southern Cross as a mascot. At 12.20 p.m. Mr Douglas Mill’s Moth shot into the air. Soon Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm followed, and the huge crowd was thrilled when the Tasman flyers looped the loop several times. Then the other two Bristol fighters took the air, and after* all the machines circled the crowd for a while they set out for the south, being accompanied for some distance by the Moth. The weather was fine and clear when the airmen left, and a stiff following wind was blowing. ARRIVAL AT WANGANUI. GREETED BY LARGE CROWD. WANGANUI, September 23. A crowd estimated at 1500 greeted the flyers on their arrival to-day from Auckland after a quick flight in good conditions. The machines made a perfect landing, anrid scenes of enthusiasm from the gathering. A welcome was extended by the Mayor and other speakers, who congratulated the airmen on their great feat in crossing the Tasman, and commended their work in the interests of commercial aviation. The airmen then motored"into the city and proceeded to their hotel, having expressed a desire to have the night free. They will leave at 9 o’clock to-morrow morning for Blenheim, proceeding in the afternoon to Christchurch. A ROUGH TRIP. REST AT BLENHEIM. BLENHEIM, September 24. The Bristol planes arrived at Blenheim at 1.18 The flyers report a terrible trip from Wanganui. They were buffeted all the way in head winds and rainstorms. After landing here they decided to stay the night, leaving early to-morrow for Christchurch. DETAILS OF ARRANGEMENTS. AIRMEN EXPECTED AT 1.30 THIS AFTERNOON. Local arrangements, for the visit of the Tasman flyers have been completed, and confirmation of the landing arrangements has been received by the Mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner). In this connection a visit was paid to Wingatui on Saturday by the Mayor, the town clerk (Mr G. A. Lewin). Cr Douglas. Sub-in-spector Fahey, Senior Sergeant Quartermain, and Mr L. G. Hill (secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club), and a plan was formulated for dealing with the large crowd of spectators that is expected, and arrangements were also made for the parking of cars. The landing ground is reported to be in excellent order. The authorities at Sockburn will send through a telephone message giving the weather conditions, and advising the time of departure. The airmen will c-all at Oamaru on the way here. At time of going to press the arrival was timed for 1.30 this after-noon, but the weather is the deciding factor. — Motor cars will not be admitted to the racecourse unless they "have blue discs on their windshields. These discs, which are obtainrSfle at a small cost, are being sold by the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Sports Depot, Jacobs’s tobacconist shop, the Otago Motor Club, and the Otago Expansion League’s office. They will also be on sale at various places on the road to Wingatui. The proceeds from the sale of the blue discs, together with the amount collected on the course, will be devoted to ■ the funds of the Otago Aero Club. _ While not declaring a half-holiday for the occasion, the Mayor intends asking employers in the city to give the members cj their staffs every opportunity of being present to witness the arrival of the flyers. He is hopeful that this will be done wherever circumstances permit. According to the present arrangements, three Bristol Fighters will carry the party on its visit. Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith is expected to pilot the dual-control machine, and he will carry .with him Lieutenant Ulm. A second plane will be in charge of Captain Findlay, who will have the navigator of the Southern Cross, Mr Litchfield, as a passenger. Captain Buckley will be accompanied in the third machine by the wireless onerator. Mr M'Williani.