Plaudits of a Multitude

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 463, 19 September 1928, Page 1

Plaudits of a Multitude

HIGH ENTHUSIASM AT TOWN HALL Springtime Welcome at Ihumata THE roar of thousands of acclaiming voices, a tumultuous tide of “coo-ees,” hundreds of 1 handkerchiefs fluttering in greeting, and beating through it all the throb of the city organ s music of welcome. In this way, Auckland welcomed the heroes of the trans-Tasman flight at the Town Hall at noon. In the triumph of the living, the memory of Hood and Moncrieff was not forgotten, for, at Kingsford Smith’s request, the vast audience stood in silence for a few imnnnpnt.fi Earlier in the morning three or four thousand people had assembled at Ihumata to have a first glimpse of the airmen as they arrived. First of all, the Bristol fighters appeared as merest specks in the azure sky, then came the steady thrumming of the engines. The three machines, accompanied by Mr. Douglas Mill’s Moth, circled the ground, but before landing, the machine in which Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm were flying, looped-the-loop twice. Then they dropped with precision to the landing ground. Auckland pastures knew for the first time, the tread of the greatest ocean flyers in history. _

A little more than two hours from the time the flyers left Hawera had elapsed when the machines were sighted flying at an altitude of about 1,000 feet in the clear, blue sky.

The Auckland Moth had by then met the Bristol Fighters, and was side-on to the crowd, glinting in the sun. Kingsford Smith left the formation and went out toward the Moth, the two then returning and joining up with their companions. “SMITHY” LOOPS THE LOOP

In a few minutes the flyers were down to about 500 feet, circling round the crowd.

“Smithy,” the name which came easily to the friendly crowd, provided a thrill by waving to those below and then looping the loop, a performance which he Immediately repeated right over the heads of the delighted spectators. For a few minutes the planes circled above the landing ground, a beautiful picture in their silver grey paint, sparkling in the strong sunlight. Then Captain Findlay, led the way to earth, landing up-wind into a fresh breeze. The other two followed within a couple of minutes, and the Moth some minutes later, all making graceful and perfect landings, to the cheers of the crowd. Officers of the Air Force took charge, and the three fighting planes were drawn up in front of the crowd within a few minutes of their being sighted. The plane carrying the co-command-ers of the Southern Cross was taxied right up to the fence beyond which was the crowd. As the flyers rose in their seats they were greeted with cheers, punctuated with cries of “Give them a cigarette!” Cigarettes immediately on landing appear to be considered as part of the ceremony of reception, and both Kingsford Smith and Ulm were puffing away before they left the plane. INFORMAL WELCOME

Before climbing to the ground the two discarded their flying overalls, and appeared in the blue and gold uniforms of the Air Force.

They were then joined by Messrs. McWilliam and Litchfield, and the four were introduced to the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, Mr. Robert Burns, president of the Aero Club, Mr. H. T. Merritt, chairman of the club executive, and a number of military officers, including Colonel H. R. Potter, O.C. Northern Command, Lieut.-Colonel Duigan, Chief Staff Officer, Colonel Andrews, C.M.G., and Major Finnis,

the honours being carried out by Major L. M. Isitt, officer in charge of the air base. “WE WERE SORRY”

“We were very sorry about yesterday,” was the first remark of Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith, “but there was a terrific head wind, and the buses only carry enough petrol for 2J hours, so that it was extremely doubtful if we could have got here.” “Well, you have a much better day for it, and I have pleasure in welcoming you to Auckland,” replied the Mayor.

Spontaneous outbursts of cheering were then led into • order by the Mayor, who called for cheers for each of the flyers, and specially introduced Mr. McWilliam, the New Zealander, to the crowd, which gave him a great reception. After a few minutes of informal conversation the flyers, seated In two cars, left for the city, a guard of honour being provided by officers of the Staff corps and members of the permanent forces.

After passing through the crowd the flyejs moved through a'line of cars for some miles and then entered the city area, where hundreds of people on the street-sides, and children from the schools, paid them respect. The whole affair went off without the slightest hitch, and Aucklanders will long remember the arrival of the Tasman conquerors on a delightful spring morning, which provided perfect conditions for an historic function. CHEERS AND COO-EES SCENE AT TOWN HALL WREATH FOR “SMITHY” Half-an-hour before the reception to the Tasman flyers was scheduled to begin, the Town Hall was filled from the top gallery to the stage. Women predominated, and the spring dresses, given their wearing, made vivid patches of colour in the sombrely-lit hall. Shortly after mid-day, a guard of honour consisting of 30 Australian “diggers,” filed into the hall, and the crowd, thinking that the airmen were hidden among them, gave a good imitation of the welcoming clamour that was unloosed when the flyers did Led by the Mayor, Mr. George Bail-

don, “Smithy,” followed by his companions, and Auckland military and naval *©olol3, came up the centre aisle of the hall.

As they marched through the hall “Smithy” waved his hand in acknowledgement of the thundering applause which had as high-pitched obbligato the chorused “coo-ees” from the “diggers” who were in the front seats. When the official party had settled itself on the platform, an Australian ex-nurse came forward with a wreath of laurels for Kingsford Smith. Bowing, he accepted the tribute, and thrusting his head through it, he smiled at the crowd. MAYOR WAITS FOR SILENCE The Mayor rose, but it was a minute or so before he could persuade the audience to silence. “As Mayor of this city, I extend a cordial welcome to Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and his companions,” he said. “I am quite sure that he regrets as much as we do that they could not arrive yesterday, but with usual discretion they regarded the weather conditions. It is this that has accounted for the success of their flights.” Continuing, the Mayor said it was the city’s privilege to welcome men who had accomplished so much in the relatively new science of aviation. “It was a happy day for us,” he said, “when we heard of your intention to fly the Tasman, and include a New Zealander in the crew.” “Pity they didn’t get here on Sunday!” called a .voice. There was a burst of laughter and cheers, and the Mayor, after a moment’s thought, admitted he had just seen the joke. “Your work speaks for itself,” he added, “and you are the conquerors, bu the reference you have made to the big-hearted fellows who attempted and failed, has made an appeal to all New Zealanders.” Mr. H. T. Merritt, chairman of the Auckland Aero Club, also made a speech of welcome. “Smithy,” an alert, slight figure in the blue Air« Force uniform, rose to speak, and once more the thunder of voices broke loose.

“If you had the wind up like me, you wouldn’t know what to say,” was his opening sentence. “Anyway, I see a lot of Australian badges, and that makes me feel at home. “We have been lionised in New Zealand to an unprecedented extent; but I don’t like this business of getting on my hind-legs. We are not heroes, but only men who do our job, and we have shown that sound aviation is safe.”

He went on to say that the flight had shown what could be accomplished by team-work. He and “Charlie” were glad to have had two such splendid boys as “Litch” and “Mac” with them. When they flew the Pacific they had two good American pals whom they thought could never be equalled; but the new men did the job just as well. SILENCE FOR THE DEAD There was a quiet in the hall when he mentioned Hood and Moncrieff. “We were glad to be able to honour the memory of those gallant New Zealand gentlemen,” he said, “and I want you to stand up now in their memory.” The audience stood with bowed heads, “Smith” and his companions being at attention. “It is through the pioneering efforts of brave men that we learn,” he said, “and the job of the pioneer is often a fatal one.” He went on to say that he had been privileged to meet Mrs. Hood and Mrs. Moncrieff in Wellington, and he confessed that their congratulations had put a lump in his throat. “WANGAREYE” “Flight-Lieutenant Ulm began by saying it was all bunk about them honouring Auckland with their presence. “We are sorry,” he said, “that there are some towns we can’t call at — What’s that one, Smithy?” he asked. “Wangareye,” replied the valiant “Smithy,” and the audience laughed. “That’s all right,” said the Lieutenant, “We’ve got some Aussie names that “would beat you.” He went on to say that the Auckland welcome had been just as enthusiastic and a good deal more gentle than others in the Dominion. “Smithy and I are the joint commanders of the Southern Cross,” he said, "but the flight was a four-man job.” He announced that he and “Smithy” :

would head the list for donations toward the purchase of a moth plane for the Auckland Aero Club. Both Mr. McWilliam and Mr. Litchfield made brief replies, and when the reception was over, the airmen were hustled from the hall by the thronging people eager to clasp their hands or pat a shoulder. Outside a great crowd assembled to cheer them as they left the hall. LARGE CROWDS ASSEMBLE MOTORS EARLY ON ROAD FINE LANDING CONDITIONS Undeterred by the traffic difficulties encountered yesterday afternoon, large numbers of motorists were early on the road to Ihumata this morning. Before 9 o’clock over 1,000 cars were, parked -on - the - roadside near the landing ground, and from then on until arter the flyers had landed a steady stream of cars, motor-cycles and bicycles continued to add to the collection. The parking arrangements were in the hands of the A.A.A., City Council inspectors, and police, and were efficiently carried out. A mild south-west wind did not seriously affect landing conditions. Police and members of the defence forces were on duty on the ground and kept the actual landing place cleared of spectators. ' The numerous vantage points near the ground were massed with people. RUSH FOR TOWN CARS CROWD IHUMATA ROAD Although the traffic at Ihumata was not a!s heavy as it was yesterday afternoon it was sufficiently dense to create some difficulty when the homeward stream of traffic set in after the airmen had landed. There was an immediate rush to

get out of the parking areas, and as was the case yesterday, the last to arrive were the first away. Wise indeed were those motorists who had jockeyed their cars into open positions on the outside of the parking area. To-day these, and not the inside running, were the favoured positions. Traffic inspectors, police officers and the Automobile Association’s staff again lent valuable assistance, but even with the decreased traffic it was impossible to prevent jams. With well over a thousand cars all attempting to get back to town, as expeditiously as possible, the narrow country road leading away from the ground was soon completely occupied with a slow-moving stream s of vehicles. Later arrivals also assisted to' slow up the ’procession. Although too late to witness the landing a number of people were desirous of examining the planes, and their cars completed the two-way stream. If after a certain hour the outward traffic- had been stopped the clearihg of the traffic from the landing ground would have been greatly facilitated. Another factor which served to jam the procession at various points was the slow driving of many of the car owners. Traffic inspectors, who realised the need of speed in clearing the jams, motored a few miles out and at corners and bottle-necks speeded the traffic up, but it was not until after Onehunga had been reached did the middle section of the traffic commence to space out to any appreciable extent. From the point of view of traffic control the landing ground was not conveniently situated, and under the circumstances the officials responsible carried out their duties with commendable efficiency.