OFF TO ROTORUA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 464, 20 September 1928, Page 1

OFF TO ROTORUA

Airmen Smile on Crowds flight over city undecided I A RGE crowds cheered Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith " three companions when they left the Grand Hotel Rotorua aftCr 9 ° clock thls morning on a motor trip to .. *** airmen have not definitely decided whether or not they will fly m their three planes above the city before heading South. Fuel supplies p,nd time schedules have to be considered.

"QHEERIO!” Squadron - Leader Kingsford Smith called to the crowd a a he stepped inside a waiting car. Accompanied by New Zealand aviation officials. Flight-Lieutenant C. T. P. Ulm, Mr. H. A. Litchfield, the navigator, and Mr. T. H. McWilliam, the wireless operator, followed, and were enthusiastically applauded. As was the case yesterday, women formed the bulk of the spectators, but the crowd was an orderly one. Since their arrival in Auckland, the airmen have received dozens of ptessages of congratulation, many from anonymous admirers. This morning, Mr. McWilliam, the New Zealander, spent a busy time speaking with friends and answering telephone calls. He carried a bundle of correspondence with him. AUCKLAND’S HOSPITALITY “I haven’t had a moment to spare,” he confided. “It is the same with all of us. But we appreciate the hospitality of Aucklanders and the reception they have given us.” Autograph hunters were early' on the tracks of the airmen, and Mr. Litchfield was cornered by several before he reached his car. “Smithy’s” cheery smile flashed on the crowd as he was whirled away. It continued to flash throughout the journey to Rotorua. Scenes of the wildest enthusiasm prevailed at the Otahuhu Public School this morning on the occasion of a short stop made by Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and party on their way through to Rotorua. Over 800 children were marshalled in block formation in the schoolgrounds. After a brief speech of welcome by the Mayor, Mr. R. B. Todd, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith was presented with a bouquet by Miss Marjorie Todd. He then walked through the lines of children amid incessant cheering. At the request of the visitors the children were granted a holiday. On departing the party had to fight its way through a solid mass of hundreds of enthusiastic children in order to reach the cars. When passing the Papatoetoe School Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm took up positions on the running-board of the car and passed through a bodyguard of hundreds of children lining the Great South Road, one and all shouting a welcome and farewell at the same time. The car slowed down sufficiently to permit of Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith receiving a bouquet from Tul Morey. • The same enthusiastic scenes were witnessed as the party passed through Manurewa. The party is to continue its journey at 2 p.m., and is timed to reach Rotorua at 5 p.m. After a civic welcome, a visit will be paid to the King George V. Hospital. This evening, the Arawa Maoris are giving a complimentary concert. Whakarewarewa will be visited to-morrow morning and the Party will go on to Wairakei, where the night will be spent. Early on Saturday morning, the airmen will start on the return trip to Auckland, travelling via Atiamuri and the Waikato River. SOUTHWARD HOP At 10 o’clock on Sunday morning, the airmen are to take off from Ihumata on the flight South. Aucklanders are eager to see the Bristol fighters fly above the city, but the airmen this morning could give no definite assurance that this will be done. The Sun was informed that petrol supplies had to be considered, and scheduled times recognised. With these facts under consideration, it seems likely that the southward hop will be direct • from the Ihumata airdrome. No definite decision has yet been made, however, and, as the airmen have stated their wish to comply with Auckland’s request, city people may yet see the planes circling above the city. CHRISTCHURCH LANDING FILMS PLEASE SYDNEYITES (United P.A. — By Telegraph — Copyright) Heed. 10 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. Cinema films of the Southern Cross landing, and scenes in Christchurch, are being shown here, and are causing favourable comment. The Press describes the photography as excellent. The pictures include fine aerial views of Christchurch. “PARTNERSHIP OF ANZAC” OFFICERS GREET AIRMEN Following the visit to Point Chevalier School, the airmen paid a call at the Auckland Officers’ Club, brother officers giving Squadron-Leader Kingsford omith and Flight-Lieutenant Ulm a r °2.l lns reception. The president, Lieutenant-Colonel J. Hardie Neil, introduced the flyers and ®*id that several members of the Club nsd served with the Air Force. ...Most New Zealand soldiers, said '■Mitenant-Colonel *• Dawson.

president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association, were like kiwis —birds without wings. He spoke of the partnership between the Australians and the New Zealanders in the form of Anzac,” and said he was pleased to ?® e “} e Partnership again operating on the Southern Cross’s trip across the Tasman. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith thanked the members for their cordiality and said that everywhere in New Zealand he had found the Anzac spirit of partnership still alive. Flight-Lieutenant uim also thanked the members and conveyed to the club the greetings of the Imperial Service Club of Sydney, which, he said, was fortunate in having several New Zealanders among its members. Mr. H. A. Litchfield and Mr. T. H. McWilliam also expressed their thanks. TRAVELLERS’ WELCOME “AIRMEN HISTORY-MAKERS” Toasts and reciprocal toast were drunk enthusiastically when the air-, men were welcomed by the Auckland Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Club yesterday. Mr. W. H. Prentis, president of the club, In paying tribute to the guests, said the Southern Cross airmen were history-makers, and had shown what the commercial travellers of the future would be able to do, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith, replying, said the travellers were the airmen of the future; the air would be the only route open to them. Already airplanes were being used extensively in Australian commerce. Major L. M. Isitt, speaking of the organising ability of the leaders of the flight, said they should now be able to do anything in the world.