FLYING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 October 1930, Page 5

FLYING.

SMITH REACHES SYDNEY. A GREAT WELCOME. Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, Wednesday. Wing-Commander Kingsford Smith, in the Southern Cross Junior, landed at the Mascot aerodrome at 2.55 this afternoon, five minutes ahead of schedule, a fact upon which proudly appreciative comment was made later by welcoming speakers. Nearly a score of aeroplanes of all sizes went out to meet the homing of the Southern Cross, and about 2.45 all came in sight, with Smith leading, a little below the others. As the air fleet crossed the harbour and city all eyes were turned aloft, while ships’ sirens gave Australia’s hero a hoarse-voiced welcome.

At Mascot the scene grew exciting as the flock of birdmen arrived and circled overhead until Smith should land. This he did with his accustomed ease and precision at 2.55. Then pandemonium broke loose for a time while Smith, after the briefest greetings to his family and close friends, was hurried from the aeroplane into a waiting motor lorry, the same as was used for Miss Amy Johnson, and driven round the landing field, that the deliriously happy spectators might see and admire their wonder man and shout a thousand greetings to him. Then, all smiles, but obviously very tired, Smith reached the dais where waited Parliamentary and other notables to extend an official welcome and congratulations on the completion of the world-conquering flight. Alderman Alexander, the Mayor of Mascot, said he w r as privileged on a former ocasion to welcome. Smith and the crew of the Southern Cross from the Pacific flight. That year he presented the flyers with an illuminated address, but on this occasion the council was changing the form of presentation and had decided that the gift should be a miniature boomerang, made of polished wood and inscribed, as it was characteristic of Smith, the greatest airman in the world, that no matter how long he flew, or how high he flew, he always came back home like a boomerang. “The job I have done,” said Smith, in reply to the cordial speeches of welcome, “has hardly warranted the tremendous fuss you are making on niy behalf. Nevertheless, I am deeply grateful and appreciative. After all I have been over the course before and should know something about at, but I must acknowledge that I had the advantage of Charlie Ulm’s organising ability, which was a great factor in the success of these long distance flights. I ask you not to forget the fine achievement of Hill, who crashed at the front door of Australia, yet taken his defeat in the very best sporting spirit,” , r ; i Smith ■ addpa'r. * ‘ The* ni?e erybody is saying about me should make a favourable impression on my sweetheart, who will realise what a fine fellow I am.” He hoped they would keep on saying them in her hearing. TJlm described Smith as the No. 1 pilot among the world’s aviators. Not the least remarkable feature of Kingsford Smith’s express flight is the fact that he brought from England a series of pictures of the RlOl wreck at Allonne. The pictures tell a grim story at a glance.