KINGSFORD SMITH’S TOUR

Wairarapa Daily Times, 21 January 1933, Page 5

KINGSFORD SMITH’S TOUR

ARRIVAL AT HASTINGS. HASTINGS, Friday. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith arrived at Hastings from Gisborne this afternoon, in continuation of his tour of the Dominion, carrying fourteen passengers. He was weloemed by the Mayor and qwominent citizens and received a great ovation from a crowd of about 4000 assembled at the Hawke’s Bay Aero Club’s new aerodrome. The club celebrated the occasion by holding a very successful air pageant. Kingsford Smith was escorted by four local club and three Air Force machines and one from the Manawatu Club. Replying to the welcome, Sir Charles said he did not aspire to be the world’s greatest pilot, but the world’s oldest. lie valued his neck above everything else end didn’t intend risking it unnecessarily. He is to take part in the Napier Carnival and Aero Pageant tomorrow. He (returns to Hastings on Sunday for passenger flights. One of his passengers will be Mrs Adamson, a centenarian, who made her first flight last November. —(P.A.)

OFF TO NAPIER. Flying-Officer J. Buckeridgo left Master ton this morning for Napier in ZK—AC'D, to take part in the opening of the carnival and the welcome to Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. AUSTRALIAN POST. GISBORNE, Friday. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith states that he will not be an applicant for the post of Commonwealth Controller of Civil Aviation, a position mentioned in cable messages twice recently.

It is understood that tentative suggestions were made previously linking Sir Charles with an important civil post, but hitherto he has maintained silence as no definite proposals were made.

The. Southern Cross was to leave for Napier at 3.15 p.m. Mr Wilfrid Kingsford Smith stated that a record had been established at Gisborne in the matter of the Southern Cross’s earnings per flying hour. The previous record was made at a town in Queensland.