CITY HONOURS AIR PIONEERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 3

CITY HONOURS AIR PIONEERS.

PRESENTATIONS MADE ON EVE OF DEPARTURE.

Ibe warm place which the trans Tasman flyers have won for themselves in the hearts of the people of Christchurch was demonstrated at the citizens’ ball in their honour, which was held in the Caledonian Hall last night. There were scenes of the greatest enthusiasm when the airmen arrived and again when a number of presentations were made to them. The gifts comprised a cheque from the citizens of ( hristchurch, a book of .views of the arrival and landing of the Southern (Toss, from the Canterbury Progress League, a set of greenstone sleeve links for each airman from the Canterbury Aero Club, and a Maori mat and costume which were handed to the flyers on behalf of radio listeners all over the Dominion. “A BLANK CHEQUE.” "It is my great privilege,” said the Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer), amidst applause, “to ask ‘Captain’ Kingston i Smith and his comrades to accept a cheque on behalf of the citizens of Christchurch.” He did not know what the amount of the cheque was. but it would be filled in later. One gentleman wanted to know whether they could have it on Sunday. (Laughter and cries of “Yes” and “No.”) It had been intended to take up a street collection on# Wednesday, the Mayor added, but the airmen would not hear of it. The reason why the cheque was not completed was that there were still several amounts promised, which had not yet come to hand. He had great pleasure in asking the airmen to receive the gift. (Loud applause.) Mr J. E. Strachan, chairman of the Plight Reception Committee, referred to . ‘ Flight-Commander” Kingsford Smith, but the airman laughingly interrupted him with the remark that he had twice been indescribed. Thereafter Mr Strachan referred to him as “Smithy and Co.” VIEWS OF THE LANDING. The Flight Committee, said Mr Strachan, would feel very much honoured if Kingsford Smith and his companions would accept as a memento of their historic flight a book of views of the landing, showing it in stages from the time the Southern Cross was j'icked up by the escorting planes above Amberiey until it arrived at the Wigram Aerodrome.. Ail were proud of the great achievement, and more so because the ’plane had landed at « hristchurch. The airmen had been given a unique view of the “Long White Cloud,” as the Maoris called New Zealand, and had seen it as the sun rose. New Zealand was, in fact, a land of sunrise, but in order to see the best scenery of the Dominion it was necessary to go to Dunedin. (Laughter and applause.) AERO CLUB’S GIFT. Mr Norton Francis, acting-president of the Canterbury Aero Club, called on 3-ady Wigram, wife of Sir Henry Wigram, the father of aviation in New Zealand, to make a presentation to the airmen on behalf of the club. A diversion occurred at this stage. Mr T. H. M’Williaxns, who had been in the body of the ballroom, went up on the stage and took his place beside the other guests. He was greeted with hearty cheers. Lady Wigram then handed over four sets of greenstone links, to the accompaniment oi loud applause. PROUD OF THE NEW ZEALANDER. A similar album to those given to his companions was presented to Mr M'Williams by Mr Strachan, who assured him of the pride they all felt in the fact that he was a New Zealander. Mr Strachan also .wished the recipient Godspeed on his return. Mr P. R. Climie, organiser of the I light Reception Committee, made the announcement that Mr A. R. Harris, of the Radio Broadcasting Company, had given him a letter forwarded to him by a gentleman in the North Island together with a Maori mat and costume given to him by a Maori woman. 101 years of age, in consideration of kindness shown her by him. At his suggestion she had agreed that the gifts should be handed over to Kingsford Smith on behalf of radio listeners all over the Dominion as a token of their appreciation of the Tasman flight. Mr Climie handed the articles to Kingsford Smith, who, to the great amusement of everyone present, put them on and he and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm rubbed noses in the approved Maori manner. KINGSFORD SMITH’S REPLY. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith, in returning thanks, said that the flight had not been undertaken with the object of monetary gain but with the object of bringing honour and glory to Australia and New Zealand. At the same time, however, they were glad to accept the cheque and put it in their pockets. The money, the public could rest assured, would be used to further the cause of aviation. They greatly appreciated the honour done them in arranging the ball on their behalf, and thanked Christchurch for its generosity. The flight, they hoped, had done something further to cement the bonds between Australia and New Zealand, and if it was the case, they were more than repaid for having undertaken it. Kingsford Smith then announced mat ne nau a presentation to make to Captain Findlay as a token of appreciation of the good work done and the kindness shown them by the New Zealand Permanent Air Force. He then handed to Captain Findlay an album of views in connection with the flight. GRATEFUL TO THE CJTY Flight-Lieutenant Ulm said that Nothing could have pleased him more than the views which had been given to them. He was aiso grateful to the city for its gift and the honour it had done his companions and himself in holding the ball. The gift from the Aero Club also pleased him. All through the Dominion they had been

received with open arms and been made many splendid gifts. His thanks were also due to the radio people for their assistance. He was sorry that it had been impossible to proceed to Dunedin, but had promised the Mayor of that city that he would go there first on his next trip to the Dominion, no matter by what means he came. He referred to the hardship in endeavouring to keep up with an itinerary in such unsuitable 'planes as those in which they had flown north. These 'planes were capable of keeping aloft for only two hours thirty-five minutes, and consequently were not the best for flying over the country. He paid a tribute to Captains Findlay and Buckley, whose staff had done so much for them. He warned Christchurch people who were thinking of going to Blenheim to see them off that there was no possibility of their leaving if the weather was not satisfactory.. They might wait there a day, a week, or perhaps a month before they decided to leave. Referring to the Mayor, he stated that he had stood a lot of criticism because of the attitude he took up concerning the arrival of the Southern Cross on Sunday, but he had not endeavoured to take back anything he had said. The speaker said that the Mayor had not known that the date of their departure was governed entirely by meteorological conditions. He was a “100 per cent damn good sport.” He was glad to be back in Christchurch as he regarded it as a home. Messrs Litchfield and M’Williams returned thanks briefly. WALKING STICKS PRESENTED TO AIRMEN. Carved walking sticks of New Zealand white pine were presented to Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm, at the citizens’ ball last night, on behalf of two keen admirers of the airmen. DIGGERS SAY KLA ORA WITH PARTING GIFT. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith. Flight-Lieutenant Ulm and their two companions were the guests of the Returned Soldiers’ Association last evening when they were the recipients of presentations. The present in each case was identical—a greenstone paper weight bearing in gold maps of Australia and New Zealand with the route of the Southern Cross marked. The simple inscription read: ” Kia Ora. From R.S.A., Christchurch, N.Z.” The presentat is took place in the Jeilicoe Hall, which was crowded. There was something of a diversion at the outset, caused by the fact that officials of the club who had gone ti meet the aviators missed them. The result was that Squadron-Leader Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm arrived alone. Mr W. E. Leadley explained the position and said that Lieutenant Ulm would keep them entertained until the officials arrived back. “ This bloke’s a cow,” was Lieutenant Ulm’s response. “ I am no good at all at this. I think he ought to sing us a funny story.” At this stage the errant officials returned, bringing with them Messrs Litchfield and M’Wil’iiams. Mr G. A. Hayden, vice-president ot the association, welcomed the guests and mentioned that the gift of £SO from the leaders of the flight had been devoted to the Distressed Soldiers’ Fund. The presentations that were being made that day did not come from the executive of the association, but from the rank and file. The girts were, he thought, quite appropriate. The greenstone was distinctive as representing New Zealand and the gold was representative of Australia. The greenstone for Squadron-Leader Smith and Mr M’Williams came from the West Coast and that for Lieutenant Ulm and Mr Litchfield from Milford Sound. There were two reasons for the presentations —one was that they had completed a wonderful flight and the other was that they were darned good fellows. Both “ Smithy ” and Ulm were typical Aussies. Squadron-Leader Smith: Even in their language! “ Diggers and Diggeresses,” was the way Squadron-Leader Smith commenced his address. He assured them that the gifts were very deeply ' appreciated. They were the most typicai gifts that had been presented to them. “ We will keep them,” he said, “as long as we keep ourselves.” “ All that 4 Smithy * says goes for me,” said Lieutenant Ulm, -who expressed his sincere thanks for the gift. Messrs Litchfield and M’Williams also responded. The proceedings terminated with the singing of, 44 For They Are Jolly Good Fellows,” and with cheers.

RADIO TRANSMITTERS. Mr T. 11. M’Williams, radio operator on the Southern Cross, was the guest last evening of the Third District Transmitters’ Association in the rooms of the Canterbury Radio Society. The president, Mr 11. P. V. Brown, who presided over a good attendance, said that as radio men they could claim to take a keener interest in the flight than did the ordinary man in the street. Ever since they knew that the Southern Cross was to make the trip across the Tasman they Jpsd wanted to meet the radio operator and have a little heart to heart talk with him. Mr M’Williams had been working in connection with a unique achievement. He presented Mr M'Williams with a silver cigarette case, bearing the . maps of Australia and New Zealand with the course of the Southern Cross and a representation of the aeroplane, in the wings of which were engraved the ’plane’s radio call sign “ VZGY.” Mr M’Williams thanked the transmitters for their gift. Tt was very pleasant, he said, to be among them. Were it not "or the genuine wireless experimenter short wave telegraphy would not be so far advanced as it was today. He was sorry it had not been possible to throw the Southern Cros' open to them. On the trip over he had been off the air for some time troubles that were due to water more than to the lightning. The thermo couples were. certainly burnt out, but the big trouble came from the water that got on the component parts of

the set while it was dissembled. The only thing he could do was to keep the 600 metre set in the air while trying to repair the short wave set. “It was a very rotten job,” he added, “ working with an electric torch in one hai'td and a pair of pliers in the other. While I was lying on my back we had a drop of 300 feet. I can tell you I let everything go then! T did not care where they went.” Eventually he got the short wave set going again, but even then he did not actually know if the messages were going out. It appeared, however, that the signals were getting out all right. Everything had been fixed up for the flight back, thanks to the wonderful assistance of Mr Head. The test that day had been quite successful, and he thought eveiytbing would be perfectly satisfactory going back. “We will not get any moie lightning going back,” he assured them. “As Ulm says, we had all the lightning in the world coming over.” In such a flight, he said, thev learned several things that would be of benefit to radio in its relation to aircraft work. Reception, of course, was strictly limited. To be heard a signal had to be almost strong enough to knock one over. On the trip to Perth be did very well. He had Sydney for ISOO miles. Warner’s best for receiving was 800 miles. That showed they were improving as they went along. He hoped to keep in touch much better on the return journey. MONCRIEFF CONCERT. Squadron-Leader Smith and Lieutenant Ulm made a welcome appearance last night at the Municipal Theatre, where the MoncriefF benefit concert was held. Each of the airmen was given ai presentation from Mrs MoncriefF, sen., and Mr G. Bennet, the organiser of the concert. Squadron-Leader Smifh was presented with a walking-stick with Maori carvings, and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm with a plaque, both bearing suitable inscriptions. In acknowledging the gift, SquadronLeader Smith said it had been a privilege to meet Mrs MoncriefF. It was a privilege to convey to her greetings and sympathy from his own mother, and to convev back to his mother greetings from Mrs MoncriefF. It was such men as MoncriefF and Hood who; through their failure, had shown others how to go about their job. MoncriefF and Hood were pioneers, and among pioneers there were some who had to pay the fuJl price. Lieutenant Ulm said the gifts woxild be treasured by both of them. It was a sad time for them when they met Mrs MoncriefF, who, however, exhibited all the courage and spirit of her gallant son. He thanked those present for attending the concert. By their attendance, he said, they were assisting a very worthy object. The flight that they had just made across the Tasman was not made in any spirit of “I told you .so” to the men who failed. In doing it they had proved that the contention of MoncriefF and Hood, that the Tasman could be flown, was correct. "We cannot too strongly recommend to the people of New Zealand such $ fund as this,” he concluded. Before the flyers left the audience sang; “For They Are Jolly Good Fel.ows,” enthusiastically. The concert proved very enjoyable, the contributions of those who assisted being highly appreciated, by the audience.