CHRISTCHURCH DISAPPOINTED

Chronicle (Levin), 3 September 1946, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH DISAPPOINTED

CHUIHTCT1UKCH, Sepl. 2. The visit of Ihe Aries to the Soutli Jslaml left most people greatly disap pointed. The seheme of the Xatioaal Famine Eineigoney t.'ommittee lo set a record in the savitig of. food eoupons for Brilain in ,'ippi eeiation of the record flight to Xew Zealand, eaplured the public imagination even in distriets which had liltie prosjiect of soeing Ihe Aries and enthusiusin was keenest in e.entres which llu: Aries was to visit. The prosjiect oi' being able to inspeet the Laucasler at close (juarlers when she hmded at Wigram, liy souvenir passes issued in thousainls. by ihe Christchurch Famine Einergcucy Com miltoe in exchange for food eoupons, induced most residents lo contributo to the record tota) I'or the week. A late amiouiieemeiit was made on Friday that the uuthorities eonsidered the riinway at Wigram iniidequale to land the Aries. The Ltiucaster arrived today almost Iavo hours behind schedule and made only oue tigure-eight .clreuit ovei Cliristehureh. The fly ing eontrol offic«. at Wigram expeeled that the Aries would eontinue to the far soutli as plnnned but the aircraft fl-ew only as far as Timaru and then.turned north. Po}-al New Zealand Air Force. ofticers at Wigram were as concerned as the public about the origtnal" arrangements • being upset. and were still- endeavour-Gng-to obtaui'a full cxplanation ycsterday.