Flyers Will Drop Wreath Into Sea

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 407, 16 July 1928, Page 1

Flyers Will Drop Wreath Into Sea

WIRELESS OPERATOR ELUDES PRESSMEN “CAPTURED” ON AORANGI When the Southern Cross wings her way across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand a wreath will be dropped into the water by Captain Kingsford Smith. It is a tribute to the gallant flyers. Hood and Moncrieff, who were lost in in the ill-fated attempt to fly the Tasman s.ome months ago. The wreath was ordered by the New Zealand Government from Watney Sibun and Sons, Newmarket, and was given to Mr. T. H. McWilliams, the wireless operator, on board the Aorangi to-day just before the vessel sailed for Sydney. It is made of New Zealand flowers and shrubs and has the New Zealand ensign attached to it. DODGING PRESSMEN But Mr. McWilliams was difficult to find this morning. He had been overcome by a strange shyness and spent all the morning dodging photographers and pressmen. It was not until he reached the Aorangi a short time before she sailed that Mr. McWilliams was run to earth. When the Limited arrived from Wellington this morning pressmen and photographers -waited on the railway station platform—but there seemed to be no Mr. McWilliams on the train.

“Yes, I had him in my car,” said one of the sleeping car attendants. A quick search did not reveal the wanted man—he had disappeared into thin air. Baggage labels were eagerly scanned, but they gave no clue. Mr. McWilliams had removed them all before the train reached Auckland, and also disguised himself by removing all possible identification marks.

A hint that he was wearing a grey overcoat and was without a hat set the chase going again, but the wireless operator had left the platform. About eight photographers simultaneously scoured the Union Steam Ship Company’s offices and the Aorangi and although they saw their man he successfully put them off the scent. “You are Mr. McWilliams,” said The Sun photographer definitely to a .man outside the Union Company’s office. “No, I’m not,” he replied, “Mr. McWilliams will be out in a few minutes —he is with the manager.” Tho photographer made a dash for the manager’s room but the real Mr. McWilliams had jumped into a car and made off. THE CHASE ENDS Almost the same sort of thing happened on the wharf at the Aorangi’s berth. Twice Mr. McWilliams was button-holed and twice he eluded the pressmen. Once on board, however, he gave In and the photographs were obtained. “I suppose I’ll have to go through with it,” he remarked as the cameras clicked while he held the wreath which he is taking to Australia. Mr. McWilliams . will be the wireless officer on the- Southern Cross when she flies to Christchurch from Australia. Mr. McWilliarhs, who is a returned soldier, is superintendent and instructor in wireless for the Union Steam Ship .Company. He is a New Zealander. Among those who were at Thorndon Station yesterday to wish Mr. McWilliams the best ©f luck were the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Major T. M. Wilkes, Director of Air Services, and Colonel Hall. The personnel of the crew of the Southern Cross on the flight to New Zealand has now been completed. It

will consist of Squadron-Leader Kingsford. Smith, Flight-Lieutenant C. T. Ulm (pilots), Mr. H. A. Litchfield (navigator) and Mr. T. H. McWilliams (wireless operator). TO LAND AT CHRISTCHURCH KINGSFORD SMITH’S DECISION (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) SYDNEY, Sunday. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith’s colleague, Flight-Lieutenant C. T. Ulm, announces that it has been decided to land at Wigram airdrome, Christchurch, as it is considered to be the most suitable landing place in the Dominion. So far, the date of the departure has not been decided.