MR OSCAR GARDEN

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20095, 26 November 1930, Page 14

MR OSCAR GARDEN

—~ ■» ; : ARRIVAL FROM SYDNEY. DEMONSTRATIVE welcome. i ! I tHB PRESS Special Sorvwc. i ' WELLINGTON, November To loavo New Zealand, knowing little or no moro about an atroplanu than the man in tho street and to return a full-blown pilot tvitli tbo distinction of having flown single-handed a small aeroplane over the longest of trails is the. lot of Mr Oscar Garden, tho m- j t rep id young Christcijuruh airman, who arrived in Wellington from Sydney bv the I'limarou shortly after 1 o'clock to-day. Crowds assembled on the wharf to wolcomo him and tiio Town IXh.ll was packed when the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup) tendered him a civic rtfoptiou. The lirbt intimation ot tJio reception awaiting him was tho sight of a Moth aeroplane, piloted by Captain G. L. Htediuan, flying round as the Climaroa came up to the Queen* Wharf. Mr Garden, an unassuming voung man, could bo geen by a low' inside tho barrier standing on tho promenade deck. Immediately tho people standing ori tho wharf saw him coming down tho gangway they sent un a rousing cheer and joined in a ononis of congratulations and welcome. The reception acoorded to Mr Garden, both on the wharf and along the streets, was most demonstrative. Almost a-" J soon as the vestel was tied up the work of transferring the airman's aeroplane, Kia Ora, from the deck to n waiting motor-lorry, was 1/eguii, Amidst a cheering croud of udnnrors, Mr Garden, accompanied by the chairman of the Wellington Harbour Hoard (Mr J. W. McKivun) and the Director of Air Services (Wing-Com-mander Grant-Dalton) and other otiicials was ushered to a email platform in 11 shed on the wharf\ where he received his first official New Zealand welcome. Immediately ho entered the building the Wellington Tramway Hand played "See the Conquering Hero Comes." After the ceremony on the wharf, the procession, consisting of several motor-ears and hoaded by tho Tramway Hand, proceeded along Customhouse Quay, Willis street, Manners street, and Lower Cuba street to the Town Hall, where the civic reception was held. Immediately after the Tramway Band came the official ear containing Mr Garden. Captain F, W. Haig, Mr Sevier (general manager of the Vacuum Oil Company 1 ), and Mr J. EL. Baldwin (vice-president of tha Wellington Aero Club). Bringing up the rear of the procession was Mr Garden's aeroplane. The number of peopl.i gathered nlor.g tho streets when the car of honour passed was Biifficiont evidence of their appreciation of Mr Garden's wonderful fent. Glad to be B&ck. "J. don't know that there is very much to Bay, but I am very glad to be back again," said Mr Garden, when interviewed by a reporter on board thtj Ijlimaroa. Mr Garden said he was very pleased to see so much interest taken in aviation in New Zealand, and so much interest shown by the people of New Zealand in his flight. IJc had received a very warm recep--1 tion in Australia, nnd was sorry to leavo the country.

Questioned regarding the flight from England, Mr Garden's only comments wort; that "it was a hard job, with one or two tough parts. 1 11«<1 on;! goal to mtike for, an<i that was New Zealand, which was always at the back of the trip.'' Mr Garden said that the flight had taught him one thing, as it had taught other airmen, that n light aeroplane was suitable l'or the trip. "I jiiHt put anothor notch in it," he !>aid. One of tlu- hardest obstacles he struck <>n the journey was the hop of 500 miles from Atainhoea to Australia.

Questioned as to the possibilities of flying tho Tantrum, the airman saiil he coula not do it in tho Kia Ora, because it only had ft capacity for GO gallons of patrol. whereas 100 gallons would bo needed to do th<» trip in safety. "1 would not like to try it in a Gypsy Moth, and am quite satisfied to remain in Now Zealand for a while," ha said. He was surprised to get so nmny mossa}4 p s from Now Zealand, as he had tried to keep the vor.turo as uuiet as possible. "1 got u very nice message frojn Chichester. He came over the same around and he knows it," Raid Mr Garden.

CIVIC RECEPTION. PLANS FOR FLYING TOUR. i rasas ABsocii-rioß miotm i WELLINGTON, November 25. JCrithusiu.Bm marked tho civic reception given llr Garden in the Town Hall this afternoon. Tho building v.-aa packed to overflowing. Mr Stannage, Kingsford Smith's wireless operator, was also on the platform. The Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup) expressed Wellington's appreciation of Mr Garden's success as an airman and a New Ztsulmulor, and welcomed him to the City. The Hon. .J. G. Cobbe congratulated the airman on the success of his plucky flight, which would stimulate aviation in the Dominion greatly. Wiug-Coinander Grunt-Dalton praisixl Mr Garden's feat, referring especially to its being dono with so modest a machine an<l engine. lie remarked that it was better to spend £35 over throe mouths learning to fly than to spend it on amusements. Mr Stannage said tho little he knew of flying made him realise the courage and enterprise in Mr Garden. Mr T. E. Corkill, president of the Manx Society, spoko of Mr Garden's Manx mother, and presented the airman with a pair of greenstone and gold cuff links.

Mr Garden, wlio was given an ovation. said tliat Wellington's reception had taken liia breath away. One of the pleasantest things on his trip was meeting New Zealanders all along the route. Ho hoped the flight' would give a filip to aviation in the Dominion. As to his flight he hud only followed in others' footsteps. His thanks for the reception wpro followed by cheers.

Mr Oscar Garden is to spend about a month on a flying iour of New Zealand in the Gipsy Moth machine '« which l/o flew from England to Australia He will be accompanied b.V Captain f. W. Haig, Flying-Officer for the Vacuum Oil Company for New Zealand and Australia, in the latter's own machine. Mr Garden will remain in Wellington until Friday, when he will proceed to his home !L • Tiniaru. afterward going to Christchurch. md taking in the South Island in liis flight He will then return to Wellington and fly around the North Island. Practically every flying club in Now Zealand has invited him to visit its loealitv.

The Peience Department has notified the Canterbury Aero Club that it will consent to tho free use of the Wigra'H Aerodrome for a public reception to Mr Oscar Garden on Saturdav,

SALVATION ARMY SOUVENIR BUTTON. To atsist- the funds ul the Addington Men's Homo of tin? f-ialvation Arniv. at the same- time utilising the services of the large number of men who are willing to help the Eloifie, Staff Captain G. l->ry, Lhe superintendent Ke i lt a cablegram to Mr Oscar Garden oil his arrival in Australia from England requesting permission to issue a souvenir button with ;j picLurc of tho airman on it. The Staff Captain received the following reply from Mr Garden- ' Agree your proposal. You will be interested to know that the last two registration letters of the Kia Ora aje ( S.A.' Good luck."' .Accordingly Staff Captain Bry has had a large number of "button badges" made, and 'th the permission of the Mayor (Mr J. Iy. Archer), will offer these for sale in the streets of Cbristchurch on Friday.