A GENEROUS VISITOR.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19805, 8 February 1936, Page 9

A GENEROUS VISITOR.

PLIGHT TO TAUMARUNUI. LANDING NOT PRACTICABLE. CIRCUMSTANCES EXPLAINED. Reference to the visit of Mr W. M. O’Hara in his Klemm-Eagle monoplane to Taumarunui on Monday was made to-day by Mr E. F. ClaytonGreene, president of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association. Mr Clayton-Greene said that it had been reported that although arrangements had been made by the people of Taum&runui to receive Mr O’Hara at the Matapuni racecourse, Mr O’Hara had not landed, and had afterwards explained that the reason was that the grass on the racecourse was too long and that there was insufficient room in which to make a satisfactory landing. Mr Clayton-Greene said that in fairness to Mr O'Hara the full facts should be made known. The residents of several King Country towns had invited Mr O’Hara to fly over their towns in order to give them an opportunity to see his machine. Accompanied by the Hon. W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, and Mr M. J. Galvin, senior fields inspector of the Lands Department, Hamilton, Mr O’Hara made the trip. Before leaving he made inquiries as to whether it was possible to land at Taumarunui. A Taumarunui resident informed him that it was possible, but a local aviation expert, who was familiar with the conditions at Taumarunui, assured him that the racecourse was not a suitable landing place for the type of machine piloted by 5Jr O’Hara. The Mayor of Taumarunui was Informed that a landing would be made if possible, and that i a decision would be made when Mr O’Hara had an opportunity of seeing the area for himself. “Position Quite Understood.” The flight was made, the visitor circling over all the towns en route, It was at once seen that the condition of the racecourse at Taumarunui precluded the possibility of landing. Mr O’Hara circled round the town and Its environs several times, and the residents' were evidently much interested in the machine. On returning to Hamilton, Taumarunui was at once communicated with by telephone, and the reason for not landing was explained to the Mayor. Mr G. A. Boles, who said the position was quite understood in Taumarunui. Mr Roles thanked Mr O’Hara for his courtesy in making the trip. Mr Clayton-Greene said that Mr O’Hara had flown to Taumarunui at. his own expense at the Invitation of the residents and at the suggestion of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Assoelation, anil lie should be acquitted of any idea of discourtesy towards the people of Taumarunui as might he Inferred from the published statements of the trip. The speaker added that as the heavy rain had spoiled the gala that had been arranged at the Waikato airport last Saturday on behalf of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr O’Hara bad remained in the Waikato throughout the week, and had undertaken flights in order to assist the Association. He intended to remain to-day and to-morrow in order to further the project and to lighten the loss that might have been incurred. Mr O’Hara visited the Waikato Hospital yesterday with representatives of the association, and in company with the medical superintendent, Dr. M. M. Hockin. the principal surgeon, Dr. R. S. A. Graham, and the lady superintendent, Miss- D.

Menzies, went through most of the l wards and chatted with many of the patients. He later flew over the institution. The association, said Mr Clayton-Greene. was very grateful to Mr O'Hara, and very much appreciated what he had done for the organisation.