SOUTHERN CROSS JUNIOR

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1931, Page 6

SOUTHERN CROSS JUNIOR

About an hour’s work late on Saturday afternoon sufficed to recover Mr. Guy Menzie’s historic aeroplane, and transfer it from the swamp to a large waggon, kindly loaned by Mr Joseph McLean of Duart farm, Harih'ari. On Saturday, according to arrangments the previous day, a party of men organised from the Kanieri dredge works proceeded with the necessary equiphiept to the location of the plane at La Fontaine. The party was headed by Mr A. McLaren, foreman of the Hansford Mills Coy., constructing the new hull for the Rimu dredge, and Mr H. Butland foreman prospector for. the liimu Gold Dredging Coy. They were taken south in Mr T. Stuart’s car, Mr Stuart assisting also with the operations. Newmans Motors were likewise to the fore and a lorry with men from the dredge works was sen tsouth to help. Mr Norman Fairlie was the driver. Arrived at the scene, the first task was to overturn the aeroplane, and place tile machine oil its wheels. The wings and other equipment were then removed and taken across the swamp to hard ground, a distance of 16 chains where the waggon was loaded. The ■plane itself was wheeled out'oh planks to the firm ground, and then loaded on the waggon. Mr McLean also supplied a good team of horses, whfch'-.were in charge of Mr .Jim..Adamson,..axidVthere was no difficulty in transporting the load over the river bridge to the main ■'iron'd, 'where- the plane-arkl-fittings wentransferred to the motor lorry in charge of Mr Fairlie...Mr.' McLaren and party returned to : .Hokitika at-mid-night, but the lor.ry did not leave Hari'hari till yesterday morning, and it was proposed to stop at the townships en route, so that the residents could have a view of the wonder machine. The whole work was carried out with out difficulty, and with calerity. The settlers and others all co-operated readily helping willingly, the desire being to do everything possible to help Mr Menzies in his difficulties. Several of the articles which were removed from the plane for safe-keeping, have been located, and are being forwarded to Hokitika for Mr Menzies. Two mechanics from Wigram aerodrom Messrs Simpson and Din me, arrived on, Saturday night and went south yesterday to meet the plane op its way north.

ARRIVAL AT HOKITIKA

The departure of the Southern Cross Jnr from Harilmri yesterday forenoon was delayed awaiting the arrival of the mechanics from Wigram aerodrome who went south by special car. Consequently the laden lorry driven by Mr N. Fairlie did not leave till after lunch. Quite a quick travelling trip was possible, Newmans .Motors Ltd. having provided a high-powered machine for transport. Ross was readied about 2.30 o’clock and a stop of about half an hour was made to give tli.e inhabitants an opportunity to inspect the plane. Short stops were made also at Rimu, WoodMock and Kanieri to afford time for an inspection. L At Hokitika where the plane arrived about 4.30, a large number of people was in waiting for sometime.- News of the progress of the lorry, however, was obtainable, and at the time of the arrival a large gathering assembled oustide the lied Lion hotel where tinplane stood for some time. This afforded plenty of time for photography, and several pictures were taken of the plane including one of a group of sever, al of the rescue party who had participated in the recovery of the machine the> previous, day!.-' Later, the‘ lorry with the plane ’aboard,, Ayas .driven through the town to the hospitalon exhibition. ■ , -Before the concourse dispersed. Mr Tuliuru Tainui, who had been with the .plane from the time of Recovery.kill'arrival in Hokitika, addressed the assemblage and gave aik outline-of- The work performed and the celerity with which it was accomplished. He gave every credit to Mr McLaren, the foreman in charge, and for the willing way in which the men had worked. Cheers were given -for “the rescue party.” To-day the plane was loaded on to a .railway truck, and despatched to Christchurch where it will be overhauled and repaired at Wigram aerodrome. The plane looked very small for the task it has come through. We .must remember that it was first flown byWing Commander Kingston! Smith from England to Australia in ' record time. Now it has made a further record in being flown from Australia 1,0 New Zealand, also in record time. It is very compact in appearance, and its small engine must be a marvel of perfect mechanism to function as wonderfurv as it has done. Hie plane docs not give much outward evidence of the ordeal passed through. Only a 'few dents are' noticeable, and there appears to be nothing seriously amiss with the aeroplane. Excepting for the damaged or broken propellor, it i.s intact practicably and after overhaul at Christchurch is to be passing into aerial service again. The public interest in the outstanding event of last week has not waned, j as was evidenced by yesterday’s gath- j (-ring. Cameras clicked on all sides 1 during the progress of the plane from the south, while at Hokitika there was quite a battery of cameras in action securing souvenirs of a very raenmrable‘‘Visit,

JOURNEY OVERLAND. (By Telegraph—Per Press Associations OTIRA, January 11. Yesterday- Guy Menzies had a great reception here when he was recognised. Groups at stations along the line greeted him, and the movie man took films of the journey. At first, the airman -ducked out of sight of the Otira crowd into the refreshment room, and bad a meal before he was recognised. When be was returning to' the train, however, lie was mobbed He was greeted with loud cheers as the crowd jostled and shouted 'for a chance to grasp his hand and greet him. Autograph hunters were again in evidenut-, striving against each other in a race not to miss the opportunity. The last .glimpse Mr Menzies bad of the Coast was the cheering crowd on the Otira station platform.. He left the train at Springfield to fly to Wigram. It is safe to say lie will not get a warmer reception anywhere than that given on the West Coast.

CANTERBURY WELCOME. TRIUMPHAL JOURNEY OVER. CHRISTCHURCH, January 11. Guv Menzies was given a welcome at Wigram Aerodrome this afternoon. Owing to there being threatening weather, the crowd was small, but-they gave Mr Menzies a hearty reception . ■ The airman arrived by aeroplane from Springfield; after having travelled from the West-' Coast by. train,' and been ' picked up by a flight of six aeroplanes' from Wigram Aero drome.' ' ; ' ’ Mr Menzies- landed penlortly. Ho shook-’ hands with Dr' Thacker, the Acting-Mayor, and others oi the official party. ' Speeches of welcome were made by Dr Thacker, Mr James Leslie (Chairman of the Papartta County Council), Lady Wigram, (speaking for Sir Henry Wigram), and Sir Francis Roys (President of the Canterbury Aero Club. Sir F. Boys said that be bad no doubt that .Mr Menzies was a wiser man than lie was a week ago. Mr Menzies was loudly cheered when his turn came to speak, lie said that he was very unused to making speeches. He hoped that they would excuse bis briefness. He expressed his gratitude for the cordiality' ot the. welcome so far given him everywhere. In New Zealand, lie said, aviation is treat,eu far more seriously than in Australia.. lie said: “Fverybod.y i.s very keen.” “Tel! us what you 'felt like when you landed in the swamp; ’ asked Dr Thacker. ' “! felt the happiest man in l he world,” said Mr Menzies. Referring to the statement ol Sir I'. Roys that ho knew more than he did a week ago, Mr Menzies said that what Sir Francis had said was very true “I would not fly back,” be said. Mr Menzies bad a triumphal crossing from the. West Coast ■ to-day. All along the railway line, crowds waited at the stations, eager to see and cheer him, the people jostling for an opportunity to sc-vie bis band and. congratulate him.-: ■-■ . ■■ ■ ■ - ■ •' : AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, January 11. Guv Menzies was cheered on arrival at the United Service Hotel. The appearance of the Sound News camera man alongside the doorway of • tinhotel shortly after five o’clock indicated to the people in the Square that Menzies would shortly put in an appearance, and there was soon a large gathering. r l be police bad to clear a passageway through the crowd to fludoorway. The crowd cheered vigorously when the ear containing Mr Menzies arrived, but ho was hustled into the hotel out ot the reach of those who pressed around him. Tinairman appeared 'lor a lew minutes on the bnlcoiiVj \yliqn . more_cheers were given. Mr Menzies said how glad he was to be, here, ai.nl expi;c-s ( sc-d thanks for the reception given hint.. ' He had received a splendid welcome everywhere lie had beeii in New Zealand -so far. . • • MENZIES ON SPEEDWAY, ’ DEMONSTRATION TO-NIGHT. CHRISTCHURCH, -I a unary 11. Guy Menzies arrived af the Speedway last night just after the announcer had told the crowd that the meeting would have to bo abandoned because of the had weather. The aviator Menzies ,was driven twice round the fnck in an open car, and lie acknowledged the greetings •of tincrowd by the waving of bis band. Mr Menzies is to appear at the speedway to-morrow night, and in all probability lie will give a demonstration on a machine.