AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1928, Page 2

AVIATION.

(Australian Press Association.)

ILL-FATED MEXICAN

NEW YORK, July 15. Silent crowds packed the sun-baked streets around the chapel where the body of the Mexican airman Carranza (who was killed flying from Now York to Mexico City) was lying among

heaps of floral tributes. New York City is planning the greatest military funeral in the city’s history for Carranza. West Point cadets forming a guard of honour, will escort the body to the train on wnich it will ho taken to Mexico. Tt is estimated ten thousand troops will assist in the funeral. President Calies, of Mexico, has sent a model of Carranza’s plane, made of scarlet and white flowers, to Colonel Lindbergh, inscribed: “Life dedicated to country, arid death to the entire world.” Mexican advices state Carranza had already been promoted to Major, and wjll probably receive the posthumous rank of general in the Mexican Army. The remains of the plane will be placed on the Mexican National Museum, and a monument will be erected at the runway from which lie left Mekico for Washington.

TASMAN FLIERS

WILL DROP WREATH AS TRIBUTE

AUCKLAND, July 16

When the Southern Cross wings her way across Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand, a wreath will he dropped into the water by Captain Kingsford Smith. It is a. tribute to the gallant flyers, Hood and Moncrieff, who were lost in their ill-fated attempt to fly the Tasman some months ago. The wreath was ordered by the New Zealand Government from an Auckland firm, and was given to Mr T. H. McWilliams (who will act as the wireless operator) on board tbe Aorangi today, just before the vessel sailed for Sydney. It is made of New Zealand flowers and shrubs, and' has the New Zealand ensign attached to it.

HOOD-MONCRIEFF FUND., WELLINGTON, July 16. The Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup) presided at the final meeting of the HoodMoncrieff Fund Committee. Tlie Chairman, said that, in accordance with the resolution passed at tlie meeting, a letter had been sent to alldonors of £lO or over (representing over £llOO of the fund) which set out tbe Public Trustee’s suggestion as to tlie disposal of the fund, and the alternative proposal (that additional cash should be given to Mrs Moncrieff, senr.). He read out a long list of replies, which nearly all approved tlie Public Trustee’s proposal, so that these who replied accounted for £llOO of the money donated.

Mr Troup said that the only one in opposition to the Public Trustee’s proposal was the one from the Shetland Society, of which Mr J. Laurenson was tbe President. In consultation with Mi H. P. Blundell, lie thought that they might give a little to Mrs Moncrieff to furnish a room, and he now proposed that £SO he donated to Mrs Moncrieff. He moved in that direction. Mr Pow seconded the motion. Mr Robert Semple thought that they might have made the sum for Mrs Moncrieff, senr. the sum mentioned by Mr Laurenson, as lie was afraid that the people who were written to were not aware this old lady was practically destitute.

The Mayor gave a statement of the account which showed that Mrs Moncrieff, senr. would have the'£so voted, and that the £750 would be invested on lier belialf. Tbe balance of the money £SS6 3s lid would be divided equally between tbe two widows (to bo banded over in cash). Tlie total receipts for the fund were £21.56 19s Bd. To this bad to be added £2l 0s 7d interest, while £52 4s 7d was deducted for expenses, leaving £2125 15s Bd. Of that amount, they had to deduct the sum of £lB for ail account received from Messrs McMahon and Co. in Australia. Taking into consideration what bad already been paid out to tbe widows and Mrs Moncrieff senr., a balance of £1686 3s lid. remained, which tbe meeting decided to distribute as above set out.

Mr J. Laurenson voiced the opinion that the social work in which he was interested was made very hard by the lack of reciprocity between the various, parts of the Empire in the mattei of old age pensions. Mrs Moncrieff, senr., he said, was 69 years of age, and yet she would have to live in New Zealand another fourteen yeais before she was entitled to a pension.

Mr Troup said that if it were not so they would have shiploads of old people coining to New Zealand. Mr Laurenson said that a better provision could be made if there was reciprocity between the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, but the farthest that had been got so far was to have the matter brought belore a- committee of the British House of Commons.