TASMAN FLIERS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume L, Issue 2, 19 September 1928, Page 3

TASMAN FLIERS.

TOUR OF THE DOMINION. ARRIVAL AT HAWERA. (Per Press Association). HAWERA, September 18. Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith >nd party arrived here at 12.21 i ’clock from Trentham, en route to Auckland. They were welcomed at he racecourse by a large concourse From all over Taranaki. They were lecorded a civic reception and enterained at lunch by Hhe chairmen of he local bodies of the province.

The ’planes were refuelled and the party left later in the afternoon for (heir northern destination.

WANGANUI, September 18. The approach of the three ’planes was signalled ’to Wanganui by the nrolonged ringing of the firebell and Idle sounding of sirens and whistles, rnd all points of vantage were fully 'ccupied. The ’planes, flying low, •h clcd over Wanganui for nearly ten minutes, covering' all points of the •'ity, and then headed for Hawera.

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND.

(I’er Press Association). AUCKLAND, This day.

The airmen made a perfect landing it Ihumata at 9.21 a.m. in ideal conlitions. A civic reception will he held it noon.

In perfect weather the three Bristol ’planes reached the landing- ground at Ultimate, ten miles from Auckland, ind were welcomed by a large crowd. The four ’planes, in close formation, were sighted from the aerodrome at 9.15 a.m. and were over the aerodrome at 9.19 a.m.

The ’plane piloted by Captain Findlay landed at 9.21 a.m., followed by Captain Buckley’s machine at 9.29 a.tn. Two minutes later FlightCommander Kingsford-Smith and Lieutenant Ulm landed. Approaching 'he aerodrome Kingsford-Smith did a loop and roll and pulled up in a much shorter distance than the other machines.

There were great scenes of en’husiasm, the airmen being welcomed ’ y the Mayor of Auckland. M’ 1 Baildon, to whom Kingsford-Smith expressed regret at being unable to make Auckland yesterday against a trong wind from Hawera. “The trip was very cold,” he remarked, “and I am shivering still. We had clouds at 1000 feet nearly all the way and we could not go higher.” In cars decked with bunting and featuring Australian flowers, wattle and waratah, the visiting airmen led a triumphant procession to the city, the whole route being lined with '■heering spectators.