HIS FATHER SURPRISED

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1934, Page 4

HIS FATHER SURPRISED

NO INFORMATION OF FLIGHT. CAREER OF WHITEHEAD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The first intimation that Mr. Whitehead’s father had that his son even contemplated a flight across the Tasman was a telephone ring from the newspaper tonight, stating that he was about to leave. Mr. Whitehead senr’s only comment was a startled “Oh!” Mr. Raymond Whitehead is the only son of My. A. P. Whitehead, principal of Whitehead and Pears, a large, Wellington drapery house. He was educated at Wellington College and Victoria University College. He was a member of the literary staff of the Dominion from 1927 to 1930, when he joined the R.A.F. on a short service commission. This he relinquished last year, and returning to New Zealand, took out a commercial license. He left for Australia, where he had been operating an air taxi service. ' . He was taught to fly by Flying-Officer C. E. Kay, who crossed the Tasman today with Squadron-Leader Hewett, and his most intimate friend in, the . Air Force was Mr. Guy Menzies, who flew the Tasman alone in 1931.

The airmen did not land at Gerringong beach (says a later message) but returned to Mascot aerodrome. It is understood that bad weather caused the change of plans and they will not leave to-night.