PRESS OF AMERICA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 8

PRESS OF AMERICA

PARTY IN CLIPPER WELCOME BY HON. W. NASH (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Saturday Pan American Airways’ California Clipper yesterday made the final “hop” of her flight from San Francisco on the 1124-mile stretch between Noumea and Auckland. She left Noumea at 6.55 a.m., New Zealand time, and landed on the Waitemata Harbour at 2.50 p.m. Commanded by Captain W. A. Cluthe, with Captain W. Burrows as first officer, the machine carried 11 American pressmen, who are on a special “preview” flight prior to the inauguration of the South Pacific passenger service. The Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, welcomed the visitors when the Clipper berthed. Mr Nash went on board in company with the Minister of Marine, the Hon. D. G. McMillan. Among others who joined in. the welcome at the base were the United States Consul-General, Mr L. C. Pinkerton, the Canadian Minister to New Zealand, Dr. W. A. Riddell, and. representatives of the Auckland Harbour Board. The American journalists met nearly the whole literary personnel of the Auckland newspapers as the guests of the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, at a reception in the City Council chamber at the Town Hall. The visitors will leave for Sydney tomorrow morning, when a special service will be provided for them by the Aotearoa. Some will visit Rotorua today as guests of the Government. Others will spend the day in and about Auckland. Toasts honoured at a State dinner last night were those of the King, the President of the United States, and the United States of America.