WEST COAST LADY GIVES GOLD FERN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18577, 27 September 1928, Page 10

WEST COAST LADY GIVES GOLD FERN.

PRESENTATION TO KINGSFORD SMITH. A recent caller on Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith was Mrs A. C. Hill, of Cambridge Terrace, and formerly of the West Coast. She presented the aviator with a gold fern leaf, which bore the inscription “Te Hunga Waiata” (“The Song of the People”). The leaf was made from gold found on the West Coast, and Mrs Hill thought that as the Coast was the first part of the land the aviators saw in the Tasman flight it would be appropriate to give this token. She expressed the hope that it would be a lucky mascot for the return flight and other future flights of the Southern Cross. The airman was delighted with the gift, and in thanking Mrs Hill, said that he would wear the gold fern on the return journey to Australia. VISITORS TO BLENHEIM TO SEE DEPARTURE. Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, September 27. The town is rapidly filling with visitors to witness the arrival and departure of the Southern Cross. Hotel accommodation is at a premium and the Aero Club’s accommodation bureau is hard put to meet applications. Despite rumours emanating from Christchurch, advice has been received from Kingsford Smith that the Southern Cross will definitely arrive at Blenheim on Friday afternoon unless the weather is very bad.