GREETINGS FROM R.S.A.

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

GREETINGS FROM R.S.A.

MESSAGE FROM THE 'DIGGERS' EXECUTIVE ACTIVITIES. . "Thuiike for greetings. Hope to eee you in Auckland." Thus wired SquadronLeader Kingsford Smith, in reply to a message of greeting telegraphed to the airmen by the Auckland branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association. -Right frpm the time It was wmounced: ihat "Smithy", and hk can* panions were coming to Auckland the association have been busily engaged in attempting to arrange some function at which their members could welcome the airmen, but owing to the limited stay of the visitors a smoke concert or simile , gathering could not be arranged. "We want them to know that the Diggers were most anxious to take a hand in the welcome and that they would have been our guests at Borne function or other if .time and circumstances had permitted," said Mr. W. G. Gamp, a mem* ber of the executive committee, tine morning, speaking qg behalf of the local secretary, Mr. E. H. Sharp, who is at present indisposed. Mr. Camp added that the Aero Oub, on learning the position that the association was in, Lad been xery generous, uud Lad issued invitations u> all reeraI bens of the executive to bo present at the ; landing m Ihuumtuo this morning. I Jho R.S.A. were represented at the civic reception at the Town Hall to-day by Colonel T. H. D&wson, C.M.G., a?d Captain Sinclair Reid, while members of the executive committee will, meet the airmen at the Officers' Club room* j between 5 and 5.30 this evening. j CHILDREN DISAPPOINTED* PLAXES EXPECTED AT IE KUTTJ. TE KUITI, Tuesday. ' The news that the trans-Tasman airmen were following the west coast route to Auckland, greatly disappointed many 1 people in Te Kuiti, wLo hoped to see the planes yesterday. : Six hundred school children and many of their parents looked anxiously for the planes until three o'clock. A large number of Maoris also had congregated, and some of them were especially disappointed, for they had come from Mokau, Marakopa and Kawhia, on the west coast. An effort is to be made to give the children ol inland King Country an opportunity u£ seeing the planes by extending, ;m invitation to the airmen to return \ ia To Kuiti.