A PEER WELCOMED

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1933, Page 8

A PEER WELCOMED

LORD APSLEY’S TRAVELS.

AGAIN IN AUSTRALIA.

SYDNEY, November 9

Sydney * did not \fail to extend] a warm welcome to Lord Apsley and Mr W. P. Crawford-Greene, M.P., on their arrival after a leisurely flight' .from London by aeroplane. A big Spartan cruiser plane was used, and it proved to be an ideal means of conveyance There was no attempt to break re- 1 cords, and the long journey wa s made, j in much quicker time than that taken by the mail boats, without the least mishap. It was another indication ol the improved facilities for world travel by aeroplane and of the reliability ol the modern plane.

Lord Apsley, who speaks with characteristic staccato preciseness, is « cousin of Lord Bledisloe, GovernorGeneral of New Zealand ,and a brother-in-law of Lord Somers, formerly Governor of Victoria. The story of n former visit to Australia was referred to at a luncheon given m his honom by the New South Wales branch ol the Empire Parliamentary Association. A broad grin came over Lord Apsley's face when the representative of the Government referred to a previous visit of “the mysterious Mr B.” Lord Apsley removed his long-stemmed pipe, and winked so broadly to his companion that everyone laughed. In order to see Australia “first hand’’ Lord' Apsley came to Australia incognito about 10 years ago as a farm worker. , “I was most impressed ijy Australia’s, vastness and her wonderful vlariety of country.” said Lord Apsley in an interview,' and, doubtless, he made a comparison with the Australia he knew as a worker on a station, and the aerial checkboard he had j us t flown over from Wyndham to Sydney. Apparently he is something of a fatalist, for he said that his visits t° Australia in each instance had been prompted by more or less casual remark® made in the famous smoking room of the House of Commons. He hopes before his return to England to renew 'acquaintanceships he made in Australia during his adventure of years ago.