RECEPTION TO OSCAR GARDEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19237, 26 November 1930, Page 11

RECEPTION TO OSCAR GARDEN.

airman will tour DOMINION BY ’PLANE. t Per Press Association. ' WELLINGTON, November 25. Enthusiasm marked the civic reception given to Mr Oscar Garden in the Town Ilall this afternoon. The building was packed to overflowing. Mr J. W. Stannage, Kingsford-Smith’s wireless operator, was also on the platform. The Mayor, Mr Troup, expressed Wellington’s appreciation of Mr Garden’s success as an airman and a New Zealander, and welcomed him to the city The lion J. G. Cobbe congratulated the airman on the success of his plucky lonely flight, which would stimulate aviation in the Dominion greatly. Mr M. F. Luckie, senior city council- , or, also welcomed the airman. Wing-Commander S. Grant-Dalton praised Mr Garden’s feat, referring especially to its being done with so modest a machine and engine. He remarked that it was better to spend £35 over three months learning to fly than to spend it on amusements. Mr Stannage said that the little he knew of flying made him realise the ; courage and enterprise of Mr f Mr T. E. Corkill, president of the Manx Society, said that after leaving Scotch. Irish and English voices, Mr . Garden might be glad to hear tones ■ to remind him of the Isle of Man, where his mother lived, and of Dougi las, where Mr Garden went to school. l He presented the airman with a pair of greenstone and gold cuff links, the greenstone to remind him of New Zealand, and the three legs of Man to remind him of his parentage. Airmail Given Ovation. Mr Garden, who was given an ovation, said that Wellington’s reception had taken his breath away. One ] of the pleasantest things on his trip | was meeting New Zealanders all along the route. He hoped that his flight ! would give a fillip to aviation in the Dominion. As to his flight, he hao only followed in others’ footsteps. “ Do you know why I took on the flight from England to New Zealand?” he asked. “ When I said New Zealand I was thinking in ignorance, as such a flight is impossible with a bus like a Gipsy Moth, and I knew that if I failed it would do the game no good. When flying I soon got my A license (t right to fly alone). I then went for a B ticket (for a commercial pilot’? license). To gain that you have to put in 100 hours’ flying. I had done only 41 hours when I left England, so I thought I could put in the rest flying

to Australia, instead of round the aerodromes of England.” Mr Garden’s thanks for his reception were followed by cheers for him. Tour of Dominion. Mr Garden is to spend about a month on a flying tour of New Zealand in the Gipsy Moth machine in which he flew from England to Australia. lie will be accompanied by Captain F. W. Haig, flying-officer to the Vacuum Oil Company for New Zealand and Australia, in the latter’s own machine. Mr Garden will remain in Wellington until Friday, when he will proceed to his home at Timaru, afterward going to Christchurch, and taking in the South Island in his flight. lie will then -return to Wellington and fly around the North Island. Practically every flying club in New Zealand has ' invited him to visit its locality.