TRIUMPHAL TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 224, 21 September 1928, Page 7

TRIUMPHAL TOUR.

AIRMEN REACH ROTORUA.

ANOTHER BIG WELCOME.

LONG ROUND OF VISITS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

ROTORUA, this day

The people of Rotorua, accustomed to the visit of celebrities, have seldom before given such a spontaneously hearty welcome as they gave Squadron-Leadi r Kingsford Smith and his companions of the Southern Cross when they arrive from Auckland by motor car at 4.30 yesterday afternoon. After leaving Hamilton the airmen passed a number of native children, .assembled under their schoolmaster, at j the Arapuni Road corner, and later a stop was made at Putaruru, where there was an enthusiastic crowd. Escorted by members of the Rotorua Motor Cycle Club the airmen drove to the Government grounds, where, in the presence of an excited, cheering crow.l, they were welcomed by the Mayor, Mr. J. X. McLean, and each was presented by Miss Mona McLean, on behalf of the Borough Council, with a greenstone ornament. The airmen enjoyed baths in the Government bathhouse, paid a visit to tho King George V. Hospital, attended a Maori concert, and later went on to a, gathering of the Orphans' Club. Crowds of people, anxious to catch a glimpse of the famous airmen, thronged the streets until a late hour. To-day the airmen saw the sights at Whakarewarewa, and later left for Wairalcei.