ON THE WAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20680, 19 March 1937, Page 8

ON THE WAY

PAN-AMERICAN CLIPPER PREPARATIONS FOR RECEPTION By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, March 18. Advice was received in Auckland this morning that the Pan-American Clipper started from San Francisco for Auckland to-day. It was ceremoniously farewelled by dignitaries and thousands of citizens watched the Clipper pass over the harbour. Arrangements to receive the Clipper at the conclusion of its flight from San Francisco to Auckland are proceeding steadily, and the Auckland Harbour Board, Auckland Electric Power Board and the City Council Traffic Department were engaged today in discussing the preparations. All the necessary work will be completed in ample time as it is not considered likely by Mr Harold Gatty, representative of the company in New Zealand, that the machine will reach Auckland before the middle of next week. A temporary base for the Clipper between the King’s, wharf and the Devonport vehicular ferry landing began to take shape to-day. The area was fenced off, moorings for the land-ing-barge were laid, two powerful floodlights installed and massive bollards planted in the ground to take the mooring-ropes. The landing area was inspected by Mr Gatty in company with Mr J. Tyler, city engineer, Mr C. Blar.d, superintendent of traffic and Mr W. R. Golden, traffic manager of the Auckland Harbour Board. Four launches are at the disposal of the company for use in connection with the arrival of the Clipper—a speedboat from the Hobsonville Air Base, a Harbour Board launch and two privately-owned craft. In the event of a night landing being necessary, these boats, together with others, will be lined up and suitably illuminated to indicate to the commander of the Clipper a clear runway in which to land. The nature of the reception to be accorded to Captain Nuslck and his crew has not yet been decided, but it will necessarily be brief as the airmen will be anxious to rest after their long journey. It is likely that the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board will receive the visitors, and that after a brief reply by Captain Nuslck they will be driven to an hotel. The arrangements for an adequate welcome to Auckland on Dehalf of the citizens are in the hands of the Mayor (Mr Ernest Davis). A reception will probably take place on the day after the arrival of the Clipper.