AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

UNFOUNDED RUMOURS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 19. Rumours have been current in Nelson district of tho finding by surveyors of'the plane and the bodies of Hood and Moncrieff in tlio vicinity of Franz Josef Glacier. Special inquiries have been .made by the Tourist Department to which the mattor was referred. The Department advises there is nothing in the rumours.

DEPARTURE FOR AUCKLAND. HAWERA, September 19.

About 20G( people were assembled on tlio Hawera racecourse at six o’clock this morning to witness the departure of tho Tasman fliers for Auckland in the Bristol fighters. The weather was cloudy towards the north with a stiff northwest breeze. Tho planes finally rose at dlevon hiimites past seven, sotting their course due north.- It is oxpected they would reach Auckland in two and a half hours. A GREAT WELCOME. V* AUCKLAND, Sept. 19. In perfect weather the three Bristol planes reached the landing ground at Ihumatafton miles from Auckland, and were welcomed by a large crowd. Four planes in close formation were sighted from the aerodrome at 9.15 a.m. and were over tlio aerodrome at 9.19. The plane piloted by Captain Findlay landed 9.21, followed by Captain Buckley’s machine at 9.29 and two minutes later Smith and Ulm landed. Approaching tho aerodrome Smith did a loop and a roll, and pulled up in a much shorter distance than the other machines. There were great scenes of enthusiasm, the airmen being welcomed b\ the Mayor of Auckland (Mr Buildout to whom Smith expressed his regret at being unable to make Auckland yesterday. Against a strong wind from Hawera tlio trip was very cold, lie remarked, and I’m shivering still. We had clouds at 1,000 .'feet nearly all the way and wo could not go higher. ill cars decked with bunting and featuring Australian flowers, wattle and warn tub, the visiting airmen led a triumphant procession to the city, the whole route being lined with cheering spectators.

GOOD FLYING COUNTRY. AUCKLAND, Sept. 19. On arrival at the Grand Hotel the airmen were escorted by Mr Ardcll of the Internal Affairs Department, and bad another enthusiastic reception. Standing on the balcony, Smith, lifting his glass, called out: “Good luck and cheerio.” The crowd after a burst of cheering melted away. The flying time was 2 hours 5 mininntes and averaged close on ninety miles an hour. They lmd petrol for another fifty or sixty miles. The airmen said they had come over the best flyinrr country they had seen in New Zealand. ‘‘lt heats Christchurch, wliat we have seen of it,”, they remarked in unison. CIVIC RECEPTION. AUCKLAND, Sept. 19. At the civic reception in the Town Hall the airmen were accorded a magnificent welcome, among tho.se present being 33 members of the Australian Imperial Forces. Their cries of “eooee” lent a rousing welcome. Then Squadron-Bender Smith was presented by the Mayoress with a wreath with gold and green intermingled. He thanked the Aucklanders and their fellow Australians for their wonderful welcome. They JiavO lieeu lionized to an unprecedented extent. They were certainly gratified, though they were somewhat overwhelmed. MESSAGE TO PRIME MINISTER WELLINGTON. Sept. 19.

Mr Coates lias received a letter from .Smith and Ulm expressing to the Government, and tlie people of New Zealand tlio airmen’s thanks for thenwelcome, and tho many courtesies extended to them during their stay, especially acknowledging the £2OOO gift, the use of tlie planes and telegraph etc. If the flight across the Tasman had done oven the smallest thing to further extend the friendship between the Conunonweath and Now Zealand they are more than amply repaid.