The SOUTHERN CROSS Visit to Hawkes Bay
Saturday 21st. January 1933
 
After the official opening of the Napier aerodrome, on the embankment site, ( June 2nd 1932 ),
arrangments were made by the Napier Aero Club to hold a special air pageant,
in conjunction with the Wellington Aero Club and the New Zealand Airforce
to welcome the visit of Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and the Southern Cross
(VH - USU Fokker - vii/3m).
This visit was to also celebrate "the new Napier" carnival week.
The district was gradually recovering from terrific damage caused by the 1931 earthquake,
with much of Napier rebuilt. The morale of the population needed a lift, so special entertainment events
were organised at that time.... the visit of the Southern Cross and "Smithy" being one of the highlights.
 
OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
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Programme of Events
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Sir Charles
Kingsford Smith

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CROWDS GATHER FOR THE 11am ARRIVAL OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS.
NOTE THE LINE-UP OF THOSE WONDERFUL CLASSIC CARS AND THE 1930s FASHION...
HATS, HATS - AND MORE HATS.
BERMUDA SHORTS WERE JUST BECOMING THE LATEST FASHION FOR THE BOLDER LADIES.
SOUTHERN CROSS FLYS IN
FROM OVER PANDORA POINT.
HAWKER TOM TITS AND
GYPSY MOTHS IN DISTANCE.
       
FOKKER VH-USU THE SOUTHERN CROSS ON ITS FINALS, THEN LANDS, WITH A MINI SANDSTORM BEHIND.
       
THE HAWKER TOM TIS & GYPSY MOTHS FOLLOW IN OVER PANDORA POINT, THEN LAND ONE-BY-ONE,
(TWO ON THEIR FINALS), AND PARK FOR THE PUBLIC TO INSPECT.
       

THE VISITORS POSE FOR A PHOTO. PEOPLE GATHER AROUND THE SOUTHERN CROSS
AND LATER QUEUE UP FOR PASSENGER FLIGHTS.
LOCAL OFFICIALS
( INCL. GOVERNOR GENERAL)
INTRODUCED TO THE VISITORS.
       
Arnold Wright - photographer, aviator, businessman.
A remarkable motivator, and 'promotions' man with a sense of humour.
He could have slotted into our Art Deco scene today, no problem,
along with his very different, cool "car-ute-wagon".
LOCAL OFFICIALS
( INCL. LADY BLEDISLOE)
INTRODUCED TO THE VISITORS.
       
We have included this little photo-session of Arnold's, since there are very few shots of him,
(he was always behind the camera). He is most deserving to have this photo opportunity with the famous Southern Cross.
Under his and Tye Husheer's leadership, (plus the input of many others), both whipped up a town's enthusiasm to create,
(in 2 years), a fully-equipped airport, capable of accommodating one of Australasia's largest, (in those days), passenger aircraft.
Only three years' previously, this site was a recreational boating and fishing area, under six feet of sea...
and here was one of the most famous aircraft in the world parked on it.
 
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