WILD ENTHUSIASM AT FLIERS’ WELCOME

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 221, 18 September 1928, Page 7

WILD ENTHUSIASM AT FLIERS’ WELCOME

THE PIONEERS HELP TO AVIATION IN NEW ZEALAND [ Per Press Association ] WELLINGTON, foept. 17. A civic reception was extended to the airmen at the Town Hal! at noon to-day. Proceedings were 'wiklly enthusiastic anij the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup) in his opening address, said that he could safely say that never before in that hall or in Wellington had there ever been a more enthusiastic assembly. He referred to the guests as gent emen of the air, atvl extended his hearty congratulations. He referred to the significance of the flight to New Zealand. Jt had been made in the very worst month of the year and it had proved to be practicable. It had blazed the trail which others might now more safely follow. He prophesied that the time was not far distant when there wou’ri. be a regular air service between New Zealand and Australia.

Referring to the nationality of the fliers, he said to Mr McWilliams that, speaking as one of the City Fathers, he was very proud of “my boy.” It must be very pleasing to returned soldiers to know that all four were Diggers. The Mayor also thanked the airmen for their call over Wcl’ington when flying to Christchurch, also thanking the airmen for their advice in regan~ to a landing ground at Lyall Bay. He had convened a meeting with a view to the establishment of an aviation club in Wellington. He wished them God-speed in their future movements. The Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zea and, expressed gratitude for the safe arrival of the airmen in New Zealand.

Mr H. E. Holland. Leader of the Opposition, also welcomed the aviators. Other speakers were Mr Cobbc (chairman of the Harbour Board), Mr Fletcher (chairman of the Chamber of Commerce) and Mr W. 11. Bennett (City Councillor). Amidst a tumultous reception Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith said that he had never faced a more enthusiastic crowd. They came not as heroes, but as friends. The warmth of feeling between New Zealand and Australia was wonderful.

Lieut. U.m said that they had taken great pains over the flight, and when they left they knew they would be successful. If they had not thought so. they would not have come. Lieut. Ulm urged the people of Wellington to get behind the project to establish an airport there.

Messrs McWilliams and Litchfield a’so trunked the people for the wonderful reception. LESSONS OF THE FLIGHT HIGH ALTITUDE MACHINES NEEDED. [ Per Press Association. I WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. The Government luncheon to the aviators was attended by sonic 180 guests including many members of Parliament. The speeches were much on the same lines as those that have been reported already. Mr Coates, in proposing the health of the guests of honour gave a light touch to proceedings by commending the foresight of the Minister of Finance, who in 1921 had an Act passed providing for applying the Customs laws and regulations to airships. After debating on the great achievements of th airmen. He ended up by presenting Squadron-Leader Smith, with a film of the arrival of the Southern Cross at Sock burn. Mr Holland (Loader of the Opposition) endorsed Air Coates’ remarks, and added that if the aviators could only prolong their stay to, say, about two months, he would be delighted to have their assistance in helping him to cover the ground at election time. It would be far faster than any previous method. Squadron-Leader Smith, replying, paid a high tribute to the men who had assisted them, both in the Pacific and Tasman flight. Part of the delay in Australia was caused by having to try out two new men, and they had come through with honours. They had not flown to New Zealand with the hope of reward, but in the interests of science. They regarded the generous gift the Government had made as a contribution to science, and it would be applied towards the propagation of sane and sound aviation. Flight-Lieutenant Ulm caused renewed merriment by turning to the Prime Minister and saying that if it would bo any help to him, they would be glad to convey Air Holland to Australia on their return. He then spoke of what they had learned by their recent flight, and said one thing was that to establish a regular service across the Tasman they must have ’planes capable of rising to 1(1,000 feet, in order to avoid such storms as they had experienced last week. They could see three different thunder storms ahead of them, and there was no escape, the result being that after careful calculations it was estimated that quite half a ton of ice had formed on the machine. This, they could have avoided had they been able to rise above the disturbance. WITH THE "DIGGERS” HONOURED BY VETERANS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. At a large and enthusiastic gathering of returned men to-day, Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith, Lieut. (Jim and Messrs Litchfield and McWilliams were presented with th e gold badges of honorary life membership of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. The president of the Wellington Re turned Soldiers’ Association (Mr W. Perry), as chairman, welcomed the airmen as fellow diggers, and mentioned that the Association was sending by the Southern Cross on the return flight

to Sydney a cordial reply to the Aus t.ralian soldiers’ greetings brought by Squadron Leader Kingsford fomith. Mr Perry said that the names of fomith, Ulm, Litchfield and McWilliams would live in history with those of Uol umbus, Tasman and Cook. lie con gratulated the airmen on the awakening of an air sense in New Zealand.

The aviators were loudly cheered when replying. All thanked the Re turned fooldiers’ Association for the great honour done them. Squadron Leader Kingsford Smith expressed great pleasure at being amongst the diggers. He said the best digger of the lot was the Prime Minister, who had proved himself a true digger because he had “given them 20C0 quid. ’ ’

The airmen will leave Trentham at 10 a.m. to-morrow for Hnwera, -where they arrive about noon. They will leave Ilawcia about 2 p.m. direct for Auckland, and will arrive there at about 4 o’clock. On the journey they will fly over as many towns as ’possible without too much deviation. They will show themselves over Wanganui. They will visit Roto run by car from Auckl a n d.