PLANE WEDDING OVER MELBOURNE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18013, 25 November 1926, Page 6

PLANE WEDDING OVER MELBOURNE.

MINISTER GOES UP WITH COUPLE FOR AERIAL WEDDING. (Special to the “ Star/’) MELBOURNE, November 12. Australia had its first aerial wedding this morning. Leaving the aerodrome of the Larkin Aircraft Supply Co. at North Essendon in Australian Aerial Services, Ltd.’s largest ’plane, the six-pas senger “ £)iamotid Bird,” Miss Rita Wallace, Of Brougham Street, Kew, was married to Mr Harry G. Farr, df Motorite Equipment of Australasia, while the 'plane flew over Melbourne. The ceremony was performed by the Rev Jesse Mayo, df the Congregational Church. Miss Claire Wallace was bridesmaid, and Mr F. L. Yoot, president df the Victorian Motor-cycle Club, was groomsman. It had been announced that the wedding was to take place at 9 a.m., but the parties made a slight alteration in the time. It was 9.25 before the bride arrived at the aerodrome by motor-car. The “ Diamond Bird’s ” pilot, L. C. Neale, had his 'plane ready. HAD TO SHOUT. It was ah ideal flying day. A pleasant breeze Was blowing, and long before any of the parties had arrived a small crowd had gathered. Only the official parties to the Wedding would be taken up, and a few minutes after 'the arrival of the bride the parties climbed into the cabin of the *piane. The big ’plane was turned against the wind by the ground crew, and with a roar frOm the engine and a cheer from the crowd it lifted, after a short run, with its unusual cargo. Once in the air no time was lost by the ROv Jesse Mayo in performing the ceremony. Almost as soon as the “ Diamond Bird ” began to rise skyward he arranged the parties before him. The roar of the engine necessitated his shouting the marriage lines, so that I they could clearly be heard, but there | were no interruptions. Everything ; went off smoothly, the only knot ex- * perienced by the parties being the one tied by the Rev Mayo. OVER IN FIVE MINUTES. The actual marriage ceremony occupied about five minutes. The ’plane was then ovCr Essendon at an altitude of 2000 feet. Altogether the ’plane was in the air twenty-five minutes, the rest of the time being occupied in a circle over MelbourneTied on to the wings of the ’plane was a pair of boots as a token of good luak. Another omen of good I fortune accepted by the parties was • the name of the ’plane, the “ Diamond B Aftef having completed its eventfu. I trip the “ Diamond Bird ” circled onOe ! above the aerodrome, and, landing gently, taxied to the hangar, where the crowd numbering about fifty, gathered round and pelted the happy couple with Confetti. Amid cheers they stepped out of the 'plane, and were driven from the aerodrome. The bride, her maid and the officiating clergyman had not been in the aeroplane before. It had been ar-

ranged that the bridal couple should leave for Sydney by boat immediately after the ceremony, but this was altered to an overland trip to Sydney by car along the Prince's Highway. SOON TO SEPARATE. On arrival in Sydney Mr and Mrs Farr will part company temporarily. The bride will go on a pleasure trip to Singapore, and the bridegroom will leave for America in the Abrangi on a business trip round the world. The Rev Mr Mayd, after the ceremony, -smilingly remarked: “ This is the first experience I have had as a. real skj pilot of this kind. Everything went smoothly, and X hope that is an augury for the future of the couple/’ The “ Diamond Bird ” which was spit, and span for the occasion, is 6ne ot three ’planes that will be used in one of the future aerial routes of Australian Aerial Services, Ltd. The route has not been definitely fixed. The ’plane now flies between Mel bourne and Hay on a tegular passenger and mail service.