OSCAR GARDEN ARRIVES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20099, 1 December 1930, Page 17

OSCAR GARDEN ARRIVES.

WELCOME TO AIRMAN. SCENES OP ENTHUSIASM AT SOCKBURN. FLIGHT PROM WELLINGTON. Seven months ago Mr Oscar Garden left Christchurch for England with no experience of flying, und known only within his own circle of friends. On Saturday ho returned, stepping out of his Moth aeroplane, Kia Ora, at tho Sockburn Aerodrome, to be acclaimed by 3000 people as the young man who had brought distinction to himself, and honour to his country, by flying alone from England to Australia, in about 140 flying hours, the third fastest time for tho journey. Hia was a tumultuous welcome.

The first thing which the crowd remarked about Mr Garden was his youth. Though twenty-seven, he looks only a boy. He iB of medium height, slim in stature, with fair hair and a clear, youthful complexion. He had but few words to say about his flight. The weather was good for the flight from Wellington, whence Mr Garden, in the Kia Ora, accompanied by two escort aeroplanes, piloted by SquadronLeader J. L. Findlay, who had flown to Wellington on Thursday, and by Mr F. W. Haig, Chief Aviation Officer to the Vacuum Oil Pty., Ltd. (Australia), set out at 9.15 a.m. A landing was made three-quarters of an hour later at Blenheim, where there was a welcome waiting. The airmen left at 1.15 p.m., landing at Sockburn at 3.20 p.m. "Tho conditions for flying were quite the best I have experienced since I left England," said Mr Garden to a reporter of The Press. "The journey down was quite uneventful. We met with a few bumps when leaving Wellington, but the rest of the way it was quite smooth. We had a tail wind when we took off, but this developed into a beam wind later. I might say that we expected a rough trip." By half-past two there were fewer than 500 people at the Aerodrome, antl they did not seem unduly enthusiastic. It seemed as if the feats of aviation had become commonplace to tho people, and that the day was past when citizens of Christchurch could bo roused to nuch a feverish pitch of excitement as did the landing of Wing-Coinmander C. E. Kingsford Smith, after his epic journey across the Tasman. Mr M. C. McGregor, in his D.TI. 50, was kept busy with passenger flights over the City, while the spectators, whose numbers were swelling appreciably, watched the five Moths, which were to be used as escorts, warming up. The two Aero Club machines took the air piloted by Mr J. C. Mercer and Mr N. H. Barlow, while Flight-Lieutenants M. W. Buckley and 11. B. Burrell, and FlightSergeant Simpson flew the Air Force machines. They headed north to meet. the visitors on tho other side of Kaiapoi about 3 o'clock, the latter having been reported ahead of time at Kaikoura.

Aeroplanes Sighted. The crowd found itself peering into the light clouds which shrouded the northern horizon, when, at about 3.17 p.m., someone exclaimed, "There they are!" black specks became visible over the northern suburbs, becoming larger and more distinct as they came nearer. Then the eight Moths swung to circle the City. It became apparent that the crowd was expectantly excited. The police found it difficult to keep them inside the barriers, as the machines, flying in formation, cruised along the foot of the Hills, and swung out over the southern end of the landing ground. Everyone was busy trying to pick out Garden's aeroplane. Tumultuous Welcome. night-Lieutenant Buckley led the way, followed by the Kia Ora. They veered into the wind, and Flight-Lieu-tenant Buckley landed, and drew up to tho hangar. Garden came next, and as he brought his machine to earth a burst of cheering broke from the spectators. As he taxied up to where the officials were awaiting him in a car, the crowd broke loose and swarmed round the machine, dangerously near the whirling propeller. There was a headlong rush to see who would be the first to shake his hand. The aviator smiled on the crowd as he jumped from the cockpit, and was congratulated by the Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer), Sir Francis Boys, president of the Aero Club, Mr P. E. Climie (secretary of the Club), and other officials. So great was the press that he had much difficulty in making his way to the car, which threaded its way to where the official welcome was to be held. There were many friends of Mr Oscar Garden among the spectators, and ho was cheered to the echo. Two of the proudest persons in the gathering must have been hio sisters, Mrs Lloyd Hindle and Miss Rose Garden. Mr James Leslie, chairman of the Paparua County Council, which controls the area in which the Aerodrome is situated, said it was his duty to welcome Mr Garden to Canterbury. He had accomplished a great flight, and the province was proud of him. "He is one of ourselves," said Mr Leslie. "We have as good people here as in any other part of the world. When one of our people comes here from the Old Country by air, along a route which is unknown to him, we have every reason to be proud of him, and to welcome him."

Many Friends Present. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. K. Archer) gave the aviator a welcome on behalf of the City. "There must be a lot of people in the crowd who know him personally," he said. "As we rode along in the car I noticed that everybody called him Oscar. It must be a proud day for Mr Garden, his sisters, and his other relatives.'' Mr Archer said he had been greatly surprised to see how young Mr Garden was, but perhaps he was. like some ladies—rather older than he looked. It was only seven months since Mr Garden had left Christchurch. and it was very wonderful that he should have gone away so recently, learned to fly, flown to Australia, and come back again. "We are very proud of him," said the Mayor, "and we hope that in the days to come he will distinguish himself still further." Keading a letter from the president of the Spreydou Burgesses' Association, the Mayor said he noticed that Mr Garden had gone a step higher; the letter was addressed to "Oscar Garden, Esquire." "What he will be before he has finished, I don't know," said Mr Archer. A voice: He will be Sir Oscar!

"Pluck, Perseverance, and Stamina.'' The letter, which was signed by Samuel Clarke, was as follows: —"On l>3half of the residents of Spreydon, we, the Spreydon Burgesses' Association, wish to convey to you our heartiest congratulations on the success of your great flight from England, which demonstrated, in a most emphatic way, your pluck, perseverance, and stamina. 'We wish you health, wealth, and happiness in your future, and we aro ? u . te . that through your example and initiative in your great achievement, you have not only drawn the world's attention to New Zealand, but will no doubt, awaken and bring to light new courage in us all, to win, not only in records in daring and sport, but also in business with the world, tlie main item for the well-being of our young country. "In conclusion, we are pleased to welcome you home again safe and sound.'' "We all echo those sentiments/' added the Mayor, "and we wish him a happy time and a very prosperous future." "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" was then sung heartily by the crowd, and Mr Garden was given three cheers. A Remarkable Performance. On behalf of the Canterbury and New Zealand Aeru Clubs, of which lie is president, Sir Francis Boys said lie had much pleasure in endorsing what the Mayor had said regarding Mr Oscar Garden. "This boy took the ordinary pupil's time of 40 hours," said Sir Francis, "and when ho had done it, ho set sail from New Zealand." No doubt all of them had followed his progress closely. The flight had much more than qualified him for the B grade pilot's certificate. That was a step beyond the ordinary passenger-car-rying certificate. The speaker was at Home when Bleriot mado the first flight across the Channel, and be remembered the enthusiasm it aroused, hut now it was commonplace. Mr Garden had realised that it was impossible for him to fly from Australia to New Zealand, as his machine had not sufficient range. "No doubt he will accomplish tin's feat in some other machine if his sisters will let him," said Sir Francis. He paid a tribute to the Canterbury Progress League, to which, he said, the Canterbury Aero Club largely owed its inception. '' A Full-Grown Man.'' Speaking on behalf of the Progress League, in the absence of the president (Mr James Carr), Mr C. H. Clibborn said it was a great privilege to join in the welcome home to this fullgrown man. "He must have finished 1 that growth on the way out," aaid Mr Clibborn, "ami he timed his arrival with set purpose. There is a garden competition in progress in Christchurch today, but we have the best Garden here. We still live in the days of miracles. In Christchurch we have the best gardens in Now Zealand, and here the very hest of all—a Garden that has fallen down from the sky." The Progress League endeavoured to be identitii (1 with the real progress of Canterbury. "Progress" meant "moving towards ideal completion or perfection,"; also, "to move forward in space." Mr Garden had done that to some purpose. New Zealand's boys had made a name | for themselves all over the world. They I did not know tho end of the work Oscar Garden had begun, and his was j third on the list of records. "I hope | that from east to west he will extend | his fame," concluded Mr Clibborn. j How lie Became Air-minded. "During my flight, I always had aa the object at the back of it, Christ- j church," commenced Mr Garden, amid enthusiastic applause. "The man responsible for it is right in front of mo. When I left Australia I got quite friendly on the boat with a young Auckland* er, a.< a result of which I thought It would not bo a bad plan to learn flying while at Home. So I told my sister that the next time sho would see me I would be in tho air." Mr Garden said he had met a large number of New Zealanders en routo, and all appeared to be doing well. New Zealanders always seemed to make good. He wished the Canterbury Aero Club every success. "I hope you have not all come out to see me," concluded Mr Garden, "but because of your interest in flying." Mr Haig said it was very pleasant to „ay his first visit to New Zealand in company with Oscar Garden. The lartcr had received a very fine reception in Australia; in fact, there was so much propaganda by the New Zealand Association that ho was afraid that unless Australians in tho Dominion took Fteps to form a similar organisation, this country would be annexing the C mmonwealth. Mr Garden's flight had none n great deal for aviation, and he had visited every Aero Club he could r?neh. Fresh cheers were given for tho aviator. and the spectators of his arrival moved towards the gates. Mr Garden was then motored- to the Canterbury Aero Club's hangar, where he was entertained at afternoon tea. In the evening, with Mr Haig, he was the guest of Stadiums (Christchurch), Ltd. The aviator will attend a luncheon to-day, tendered him by the Committee of tho Canterbury Aero Club. He will leave for Ashburton and other southern towns to-morrow morning.

Description of Flight. In a brief description of his flight, broadcasted from Sydney on his arrival, Oscar Garden said that he was 27 years of age, and was born in Sutherlandshire, in the north of Scotland. He was very glad to be back in Australia, and hoped to stay for some time be» fore going for a trip to New Zealand, where he had formerly lived. When he alighted from his aeroplane at Mascot he felt as fit as a fiddle. He had experienced little weariness throughout the trip, except for the first two or three days, after which he got used to the cramped position in the cockpit. His longest hop in one day had been one of 1200 miles, and the average daily flight had been about 800 miles. The roughest part of the flight had been over the Continent, where he met moat uncomfortable conditions, and gusty head winds. In fact, he had head winds all tho way to Calcutta. Continuing, Mr Garden said that he had depended solely on his compass and maps for navigation purposes. The Kia Ora was a second-hand machino, about 15 months old, and the engine had not missed a beat all the way. His petrol consumption had been about 15 miles to the gallon, which he considered satisfactory. He might have obtained a slightly better average had it not been for the head winds to Calcutta. Speaking of the purpose of his flight, Mr Garden said he had not really given much thought to it. He wanted experience so as to gain his commercial pilot's "B" license. He thought, therefore, that he might as well fly to Australia in order to gain the necessary flying hours, as fly around England. When he left he had barely 41 hours to his credit, but this had now increased to 197. Lost 211b. The flight from England to Wynd* ham, West Australia, was covered by Mr Garden in eighteen days—a very creditable performance indeed for a. comparative novice in flying. But naturally, through his being an untrained aviator it was not accomplished with-

out anxiety and inconvenience. In an interview, Mr Garden spoke of the last stages of his flight from Wyndham to Alice Springs as flying through an Inferno—seven hours of blind flying, and six hours of dust and liaze. The overseas flight had been trying nt times. Lack of meals, continuous exertion, and something of a nervous strain, had caused him to lose a stone and a half in weight, while be was on the journey. From Jask to Karachi, and from Calcutta to Rangoon, he had flown side by side with Mrs Victor Bruce, who was flying to Japan. BLENHEIM'S RECEPTION TO AIRMEN. (SKKSS iSSOCIATIOK TBUEQftAH.] BLENHEIM, November 29. Oscar Garden, in the Kia Ora, accompanied by Captain Haig, in the Plume, and Squadron-Leader J. L. Findlay in a service Moth, arrived thia morning. Following a reception at the Aerodrome, by Aero Club officials, Mr Garden was accorded a civic welcome, and a public reception in tha Square. Mr Garden briefly replied, thanking the people for their warm reception.