UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL

Chronicle (Levin), 24 October 1946, Page 5

UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL

— Press Association

AIRCRAFT FROM CHINA

By Telegraph

-fx U L/J\.JLJ-A.XN Uj L/CL. — An aircraft specially cliartered from the new Australian company OathayI'acilic Airways, arrived unexperitedl}' at Whenuapai this afternoon from Hong Koug with 19 members of the crew of the former Union company ferry steamer Maori. Strancled first in Shanghai ainl then in Hong Kong after taking the Mauri, now the Hwalein, from Nev\ Zealand to Shanghai for delivery to her new ownci's, the crew were picked up by the aircraft and flown bac.k to Auckland in live days. None of the sli i p 's otlicers was included in tlie party that arrived. The men believed, however, that tlie remainder 'of the crew totalling 20, wouhl also be flown back lo New Zealand. Formed early this year by former pilots of the Royal Australian Aii Force, Unit,ed States Army Air Corps and some sujiporlers, Cathay-Paeilic Airways is registered in Hong Kong but has its hoadquarters in Sjalney, aceord mg to the eaptain of the aircraft, Captain J. A. Wawn, A.F.C. He said almost all tlie coiiipany 's aircrew liiem liers were former R.A.A.F. personnel who had wartime experience in many zoneSj and that with four Douglas Da kato aircraft, the companv operated an

air ehai'ter business to any part of the world. Tlie present fliglit was the first anv of the company 's planes had made to New Zealand. With Caplain Wawn were Mr. R. VVingrove, first otlieer, and Mr. L. Martin, of Auckland, as radio operator. Mr. Martin was i'ormerlv with Tasman Empire Airways. . The steamer Ilwalein, whieh was sold earlier this year for Chinese River pas senger work, left New Zealand in Aug ust. Caplain Wawn said she reached .Shanghui last montli aiul the crew was stranded there for about a week and llien in Hong Kong for three weeks His company was engaged to fly part oi' ihe crew home and he picked up the men in Hong Kong last week. Captain Wawn said the flight- was uneventful. The route followed was by way of Manila, Darwin, Sydney, Brisbane and Norfolk lslainl. He intended leavjng Whenuapai again tomorrow morning to report to company hoadquarters in Sydnew.