A GREAT RECEPTION

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1920, Page 2

A GREAT RECEPTION

MODEST CAPTAIN SMITH

AOSTRAI.I & N.Z. OABf.K ASSOCIATION] SYDNEY, This Day.

Tlie weather was idea] for the flight and the townships en route on the last stage of the great flight of Rpss (Smith emptied themselves to watch the pass-, ing of the famous Vimy, which was greeted with the ringing of bells and the screaming of engine whistles as the birdmen circled or stunted over them. Every vantage ground round Sydney and the suburbs was occupied by. expectant crowds long before the signal at tiie Post Office tower announcing the departure from Kafoniba wps hoisted. There was much excitement- when the machine first came in sight. After circling over the prepared landing place at Mascot, the machine proceeded to the heads and made official entry thence up the harbour and round the city to .Mascot, where an enormous gathering witnessed a perfect landing, though the men waiting to catch the wing tips and a crowd of photographers had a narrow escape. Miscalculating tiie speed of such a large niachine they rushed in too quickly, but fortunately were ab]e to snye-themselves. Amongst tiie first to greet tiie aviators were the parents of the Smith brothers. Ell route to, and in the Town Hall, where the official reception was given, the Smiths and their companions, Sergeants Dennett and Shiers, were almost overwhelmed by enthusiastic demonstrators.

Replying to congratulatory speeches on the gallantry of the feat and on the liofiour and glory the four gallant aviators, who have flown from one end of the world to the other, had brought Australia, Sir Ross Smith said that they had. only accomplished what any other Australian, with the requisite knowledge of aviation and opportunities would accomplish, “and therefore at times” he said, “We want to know what all this enthusiasm is After the war we wanted to get home and thought >ve might ns well fly home. We flew home.’.’ Sir Keith Ross said: “It seemed to us 'that tlie Commonwealth had bet us £IO,OOO we could not get here. We reckoned it easy money, so wp said, we will have a go. We had ago and we got here, and noyy capnof understand what all this fuss is about.’-’