TRANS-TASMAN AVIATOR

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1931, Page 7

TRANS-TASMAN AVIATOR

MR. GUY MENZIES' ARRIVAL

SHORT VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH

SMART JOURNEY FROM AUCKLAND

Mr. Guy Menzies, the Sydney aviator who recently made a solo flight from Australia to New Zealand, arrived at .the Bell Block Aerodrome, New Plymouth, yesterday afternoon, from Auckland in the course of an aeroplane tour of New Zealand. He was not flying the plane in which he famous flight as he had had to leave it at Hastings to undergo repairs. Air. Menzies piloted a Canterbury Aero' Club Moth plane and was accompanied by Mr. A. E. James, Sydney. The plane was accompanied by another Canterbury Aero Club Moth ■plane flown by Capt. J. C. Mercer, who had'with him as a passenger Mr. W. F. J. Blakiston. of the Atlantic Union Oil Co.

The two planes left Auckland at 1.15 p.m. They were sighted at 3.30 o'clock and. met *by Flying-Officer lan Keith, made, a landing five minutes later. There was a very large crowd present to meet them. Nearly 200 cars parked at the aerodrome testified to the number of people presdnt. The number would have been larger if many people, acting on a message received that the planes would not arrive till 4.30, had not already left the ground. The flight from Auckland was not made in very pleasant conditions. There was a very strong wind blowing and heavy rain falling at Mangere and it was thought by officials of the Auckland club that the party would not be able to make its way to New Plymouth in face of the strong southwester];' wind blowing. So strong was the wind at Mangere that the wings of the plane had to be held down while she was manoeuvring into position and commencing to make the run down the fairway. The 'bad weather continued until the planes reached Raglan, where it became rather clearer and the pilots were able to follow the coast-line for the remainder of the journey. In view of the head wind over the first part of the journey the time taken, two hours and ■l5 minutes, was considered very good. WELCOME BY MAYOR, Mr. Menzies and his partner were met as they stepped from the plane by Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths, Mayor, Mr. G. hi. •Spence, president of the New Plymouth •Aero Club, and Mr. S. E. Nielson, secretary. The visitors were with difficulty conducted through the crowd, which nevertheless proved very orderly, to a lorry which was used as a platform. The, Mayor expressed his pleasure at having an opportunity of extending such a cordial and rousing welcome to their guest. When the news had flashed across the water that the plane Southern Cross Junior had left Sydney with New Zealand as her destination all minds at once turned to that gallant aviator, ’ Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith. But it was learned that he was in Melbourne and knew nothing of the flight. Then the news arrived that an aviator was in the air and the Southern Cross Junior was coming this way.

All the people of New Zealand were delighted to hear the plan© had madea landing on New Zealand shores and that th© trans-Tasman pioneer was safe. All New Zealand was thrilled and the people of New-Plymouth were there that afternoon to extend a welcome and show- how pleased they were that everything Went well and that Mr. Menzies had hid the distinction of having placed his name on the roll of fame as the pioneer of solo flights across the troublous seas of the Tasman. ■

His thoughts turned that afternoon, th© Mayor continued, to those who blazed the trail, before Mr. Menzies and to those whowere-mourning the two gallant aviators who had striven to do ’what Mr. Menzies had done. People were also thinking what the flight would mean for the future of aviation, not only in the country but throughout the Empire. Mr. Menzies had shown that the trans-Tasman flight could be accomplished single-handed if it were by the right men with cufficient spirit and endurance. At the call of Mr., Griffiths cheers were given for Mr. Menzies. Mr. G. M. Spence extended a welcome to the visitors on behalf of the New Plymouth Aero Club. He congratulated Mr. Menzies on what was undoubtedly an epic flight and a deed which would stand out for many years as one of the most outstanding flights ■made. OWN MACHINE LEFT BEHIND. Mr. Menzies thanked the crowd present for coming to the aerodrome to welcome him. “I am sorry I could not come in my own machine, the Southern Cross Junior,” he said. “It is through waiting for my own plane that I have been delayed in my tour. The Southern Cross is a wonderful machine and I am extremely sorry I could not bring it through for you to see it. It developed engine trouble and we had to leave it at Hastings. We thought it '•better to come on in a. Moth. “T heard of New Plymouth a long time ago, before I ever thought of making a flight. My friend Mr. Moody, who thought of making a flight in a •Ryan monoplane, intended making New Plymouth his destination. It was therefor© one of the towns I wanted to visit first of all.”

He had received wonderful welcomes throughout New Zealand, continued Mr. Menzies. From the moment he first landed in the swamp —rather untidily—the first few people he had met would not believe he had come from Australia and the further north he reached the ■worse it seemed to get. He thanked everyone on behalf of Mr. James, his partner. His stay would be. short in New Plymouth but he hoped to be back in a. few months and make an extended tour of New Zealand.

After leaving the aerodrome the visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by the New Plymouth Aero Club at Pukekura Park, where they paid a vieit to the fernery. From there they went on to. Western Park arid the ■Blenheim oil bore. In the evening Mr.' Menzies was the guest of the club at dinner, and of Everybody's Theatre later. A presentation was made to him ■by Mr. Spence at the. theatre, where ■Mr. Menzies in acknowledging the gift, •gave a. brief resume of his flight on the same lines as he' had taken at the dinner. He added that he had not made ■the trip for any purpose such as fostering aviation but merely because he wanted to.

The party expects to leave for Hauers, at about 11.30 o'clock to-day.