THE LAST HOP NORTH

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 222, 19 September 1928, Page 10

THE LAST HOP NORTH

FLIERS ARRIVE AT IHUMATAO. PERFECT LANDING IN BRILLIANT SUNSHINE. Enthusiastic Welcome At Aerodrome. — Triumphant Procession To City.. Like swans in flight, the three Bristol planes winged their way from the South this morning, and silvery wings flashed in brilliant sunlight as the machines swept over the aerodrome at Inumatao, where there were "thousands of Aucklanders to give a tumultuous greeting to SquadronLeader Kingsford Smith arid his noted colleagues, who had successfully blazed the aerial trail from Australia to New Zealand. There were many sceptics when the now historic flight of the Southern Cross from San Francisco to Brisbane was planned, a scepticism which turned to amazement as the various flights over hundreds of leagues of ocean were successfully accomplished. The cryptic Wireless reports aroused tremendous enthusiasm in the great endeaveur. Even more was the collective heart and imagination captivaeed by the recent great achievement in the hours of darkness, the crossing of the Tasman Sea. Christchurch, Wellington, and Hawera have feted the illustrious visitors. Now it is Auckland's turn, and to-day they learned the warmness of a northern welcome. The postponement yesterday of the last hop of the journey was disappointing, but another big crowd gathered on the slopes of the aerodrome this morning, while spectators also grouped on far off hills, from where a long-range view of the conclusion of the flight could be obtained. After a spectacular landing at Jhumatao, the visiting airmen were accorded a wonderful welcome, Their journey to the city was a triumphal procession, the long route being lined by cheering people. *