A MAORI WELCOME

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11125, 7 February 1930, Page 3

A MAORI WELCOME

RECEPTION IN SYDNEY' TO Mil J CIHCIHESTER.

WELL-KNOWN GISBORNE NATIVE LEADS JdLAKA.

(Special To The Times). AUCKLAND, Feb. .5

.Describing ' the welcome' in Sydney JtU• Al:r. • Chichester,- the • New Zealand airman, the correspondent of the “Sun”, says: “Little 'additional evidence of the. privations of flight was required than d dusty pair of thoroughly worn shoesi Somehow they did not seem to have been cleaned since their purchase in Yugoslavia months ago when the airman toured the Balkan .States,, gaining .experience), so fie stud, for his flight to Australia. He wits' gathered shoulder high and carried "to. the clubhouse*

• “'For a minute ho - resisted and required all the gentle persuasion of Wiremu liangi, the well-known -Maori from Gisborne, who has long been settled in'. Sydney. f t whs Kangi whtT fell the subsequent link a. of welcome.

“The New Zealanders- wore in force at tiie airdrome. The Australia ns thought their Maori welcome, to say the least of it, was rather strange. Hero again, Air. Chichester, who won all hearts from his modest and unassuming demeanour, shrank from the limelight. He was by no means anxious to reply to the half dozen or so speakers who hade him welcome to New South Males. At tho same time he appreciated their kindness, after pronouncing upon the excellent quality of shandy lie had swallowed on arrival at Darwin. Beer is always an absorbing topic in Australia, ami the visitor could not, have introduced anything more appropriate. The flyer turned to a friend, and to the delight of the great crowd, said, “Now what on earth shall I tell them next ” “Quite-modestly and in more serious vein ■ Air. Chichester asked to lie relieved of all glory' in connection with the flight. ‘lf any oilier pilot in Australia or New Zealand,’ declared Air. Chichester, ‘had had i lie opportunity of making the flight J did, he would have jumped at it. Really. I deserve no special credit.’

“In the comparative quiet of the Chib, a whisky and soda in. one band, and bis old pipe in the oilier. Mr. Chichester chatted over the details of the flight with about two ntv newsnapor correspondents and once again he endeavoured to ■ ■scape the floodlight of publicity that poured upon him.