ROOSEVELT FIELD PRESENTS COLOURFUL SCENE

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 86, 27 June 1930, Page 5

ROOSEVELT FIELD PRESENTS COLOURFUL SCENE

PLANE LANDS HALF HOUR BEFORE SCHEDULE.

SIGHT-SEEING PLANES DO BRItiK BUSINESS. (Received Noon). (Australian Press Association Special Story). An hour before the Southern Cross was clue to arrive hero only a small crowd of a few thousands had gathered, but automobiles were then be. ginning to roll in in progressively greater numbers, giving every indication that New York .and vicinity would turn out to welcome the fliers. The afternoon was brilliant and hot, the conditions for landing being ideal.

There were a few Australians am-

ongst the crowd and they proudly

indicated their nationality and expressed admiration for their compatriot. Brooks was on the committee of welcome and Mr. A. Alam, M.L.C. (N.S.W.), accompanied by WilliaTn Saul, a brother of the navigator, was also present. The latter, who is an engineer on a Bea-muda-New York boat, had not known his brother's intent to fly the Southern Cross. The first three persons to greet the Southern Cross personnel, however, were Immigration Inspector Olding, Customs Officer Robinson and official doctor Shelley. The crowd was not excited or apparently extremely enthusiastic, although there was every indication that they would give the fliers n hearty reception. The scene was extremely colourful. The field authorities improved the opportunity to keep the rim of the large field, No. two, whero the Southern Cross was due to land, covered writh dozens of brightly coloured sight-seeing planes, while huge loudspeakers interspersed euphemistic announcements of the arrival time, approaching visitors with the invitation: "Step right up with your girl friend—it is only two and a half dollars apiece—and take her up for a

ride in Blue Eye. We are not promising, but it is quite possible that the Siouthern Cross will arrive while you are in the air and you can give her a special welcome". Young men and women in pairs stepped up every few minutes.

The Southern Cross landed safely at 6.31 p.m.