TUMULTOUS RECEPTION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17181, 11 February 1930, Page 8

TUMULTOUS RECEPTION

NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN CHICHESTER AT WELLINGTON (Per Vross Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. A large crowd was gathered at the wharf to greet, Mr. F. O. Chichester on his arrival by the Maunganui from Sydney. Ho was mot by the Mayor and the president of the Wellington Aero Club, and a, brief official welcome took place in. a shed. His ’plane, which was perched up amidships; was disembarked. This took considerable time, and formed the tail of a- procession which proceeded through the principal streets to the Town Ball, with Mr. Chichester at the bead. The route was thronged, and at the Town Hall there was' a- tumultuously enthusiastic gathering which had crowded the. building out half an hour before, the arrival of the airman. The GovernorGeneral was represented bv the Hon. W. B. Taverner, and the Mayor vend apologies from both Sir Joseph Ward and the Rl, Hon. J. G. Coates. _ Sir Joseph Ward congratulated Mr. Chichester on the wonderful performance achieved by him. and extended a hearty welcome back. He hoped to have the pleasure of meeting him personally. The Mayor spol;o of the marvellous solo lliglit.. It was; only nine months ago | hat Mr. Chichester left, on a visit, to the Old Country. On arrival there lie purchased his own plane, and after 30 hours’ tuition toured the Continent. After returning to England he left without previous announcement one morning, saying only : “Good-hve, hoys. I’m off to Australia.” The Mayor emphasised the gt outness of the flight bv n pilot of siidi short experience. _ ‘Mr. Taverner, in the course of his remarks alluded to Chichester s interest in aviation prior to going Home. B\ his personal effort Mr. Chichester had laid it, foundation enabling commercial and civil aviation to be proceeded with in confidence. Mr. Chichester’s reply was very brief. Tie regretted the mishaps of the, trip, and said he hoped to have a chance of making] the same trip again and hoped to do better. He thanked them deeply for the welcome.