THE TOURING FLIERS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 216, 12 October 1929, Page 8

THE TOURING FLIERS

ARRIVE IN HASTINGS. A WONDERFUL TRIP. The flying Auckland tourists arrived in Hastings at 12 minutes to 12 o'clock to-day. They were sighted two or three minutes previously, with Captain T W. White, in the Hawke's Bay Aero Club's Spartan 'plane, showing the way, presenting a great sight in the air. Captain White made a splendid landing and then was followed by Major G A. C. Cowper, with Mr K. R. Hacket as his passenger. The next 'plane to land was that piloted by Captain W. S. R. Bloomfield, with Flying Officer R. J. Copley, and the third reached the ground a couple of minutes later. This was piloted by Mr J. C. Horton, his passenger being Mr R. Claire. Each of the 'planes made a perfect landing, finishing in a line and making a wonderful picture. Only three of the visiting 'planes came to Hastings, for although four left Auckland, Captain McGregor and his 'plane remained at Wanganui. OFFICIAL WELCOME. Sir Andrew Russell, as president of the Hawke's Bay Aero Club. welcomed the visitors and hoped that the arrangements made would prove satisfactory. Evidently the fliers were so popular with the Wellington people that they were given a sample of Wellington weather and induced to stay longer than their expected. but Sir Andrew assured the fliers that they would soon know what real weather was now they were in Hawke's Bay. He congratulated them on the success of their tour, which would undoubtedly be a great encouragement to aviation in the Dominion. The Mayor, Mr G. F. Roach. referred to the disappointment the Hastings people felt at the delayed arrival. He said that every endeavour was being made to encourage aviation in Hastings and it was possible that before long a larger ground would be secured. The importance of aviation was being realised and the time was not far distant when large machines and larger fields would he wanted. The Hon. T. M. Wilford was endeavouring to enable municipalities to give assistance and His Worship assured the fliers that he and his council would do everything they could. He hoped the tourists would he able to extend their stay and have a happy time. APOLOGY FOR- NAPTER'fl 'MAYOR His Worship apologised for the absence of Mr J. Vigor Brown, Mayor of Napier. Mr Mason Chambers, on behalf of the Hawke's Bay County Council extended a hearty welcome, Mr K. R. Hacket, in response, referred to the great enthusiasm in aviation in Hastings and said that there was not much left for them to do here. In fact, Auckland was worse off than Hastings, for it had the machines and equipment but no drome. Mr Hacket thanked the Hastings people for their hospitality and said that the tourists would be pleased to stay over the weekend. FORMATION FLIGHT. This afternoon the planes indulged in a formation flight over Hastings, Havelock, Clive and Napier, and at 4 p.m. indulged in aerobatics at the drome, to the delight of a large crowd. The airmen left Wellington at 7.20 o'clock this morning for Martinborough, where they landed. They then went on to Masterton where they had breakfast, and left at 10.20 a.m. for Hastings. In conversation with a Telegraph reporter one of the fliers stated that flying conditions all the way were perfect. There was a helping wind behind and they had a wonderful trip. The 'planes will depart for the north on Monday morning.