THE FLYING MEN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 September 1928, Page 6

THE FLYING MEN.

HELD UP AT HAWEEA. OWING TO BAD WEATHER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HAWEEA, Tuesday. A concourse of spectators, estimated at 10,00(), drawn from all parts of Taranaki, accorded an inspiring ovation to the famous crew of the Southern Cross when they landed on the Hawcra Racecourse at 12.20 this afternoon. The landing marked the completion of the third stage of the air journey from 'Christchurch to Auckland in three Bristol fighters-. To-day’s trip from Wellington took two hours and ten minutes against a stiff nor-’wester. The flight was to have been resumed at i o’clock, but owing to a threat of bad weather, which later materialised in a thunder and rain storm from the north, the departure was postponed until to-morrow morning. Captain Findlay, of the New Zealand Air Force, with Mr Litchfield as a passenger, led the other ’planes to the landing ground. Captain Kingsford Smith, with Lieutenant Him in the rear cockpit, ’planed down a minute later, followed at a similar interval by Captain Buckley, of the New Zealand Air Force, with Mr McWilliams as a passenger. The successful landing of all three was completed within two minutes. As the machines taxied to the re-filling point, a big portion of the crowd rushed across the enclosure, yelling greetings to •‘Smithy.” Tumultuous cheering marked the passage of the aviators in cars along the straight to the grandstand, where a civic reception was accorded them.

Welcoming the airmen, the Mayor (Mr K. A. Baccy) expressed the pride and admiration felt by Taranaki people, in common with tlie rest of New Zealand, in the great achievements of the Southern Cross crew. Deafening crescendos from the crowd greeted Captain Kingsford Smith, who smilingly flung compliments during his reply and expressed thanks for the overwhelming reception, which, he said, accorded with the cordial spirit experienced in other centres since their arrival in New Zealand. Lieut. Elm and Mr Litchfield also voiced acknowledgments, while Captain Smith apologised for the absence of Mr McWilliams, who “had been lost in the crowd,” and failed to reach tho dais.

A MAORI GREETING. A spectacular feature of the reception was a liaka rendered by twcutj braves, naked to the waist, and wealing little else than head ornaments of flax, painted designs, and piu plus dangling from the waist to the knees. Tho°haka was followed by a welcome voiced fluently on behalf of the Maori people by the Rev. R. T. Iladdon, a diiect descendant of Turi, captain of the canoe Aotca. “You are men who have blazed a trail across the chartless skies; wc are the children of men who blazed a trail across the chartless ocean over a thousand years ago; therefore, wc welcome you and wish that you may always be prosperous,” said Mr Haddon. He concluded by dropping a presentation piu piu over the shoulders of Captain Kingsford Smith. Fifty representatives of local bodies throughout the province assembled at a luncheon given the aviators, when the toasts: “Our Guests,” and “The Air Force,” were proposed respectively by the Mayor and Mr E. Dixon, president of the Chamber of Commerce. Captain Kingsford Smith and Mr Litchfield replied, the former commending Ilaw-era on its possession of a good landingground for ’planes. Earlier in the ceremony, Mrs A. Illingworth, of Alton, a sister of tho late Captain Hood, was presented to the party. Interviewed this evening, Captain Findlay said that, weather permitting, the ’planes would leave at six in the morning, and he expected they would reach Auckland about 5.30 a.m.

’PLANES OVER WANGANUI. WANGANUI, Tuesday. The approach of the three airplanes was signalled by the prolonged ringing of the fircbell and the sounding of sirens and whistles, and all points of vantage were fully occupied. The ’planes, flying low, circled over Wanganui for nearly ten minutes, covering all points of the city. They then headed for Hawera.

CHEERING CHILDREN. FOXTON, Tuesday. In-response to a request from tho chairman of the school committee, the Tasman fliers passed over Foxton in their overland flight to Auckland. They came low down over the school and responded to the cheers from the assembled children by waving their hands. WELCOME APPRECIATED. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieut. Ulm to-day stated that they desired for themselves, and on behalf of their colleagues, Messrs Litchfield and McWilliams, to publicly thank the people of New Zealand for the magnificent welcome accorded them. AERO CLUB IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. At a meeting to-day, attended by about one hundred people, and presided over by the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup), it was decided to form a ‘Wellington Aero Club. Details are to be arranged by a committee set up to bring down a report. The locality of the club is likely to be Lvall Bay.