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All eyes at the Autumn Carnival were trained on the sky as the parachutist leapt from the aeroplane, opened his 'chute, and drifted earthward. As he came slowly down, realisation began to dawn that he was well wide of the mark, would probably land in tall trees south of the oral. Consternation showed on every face (above). When it was clear that the trees would indeed be the landing-place (right) for L.A.C. G. A. Blanchard, of the Manawatu Parachute Club, and that his fate would not be apparent from the ring, hundreds of adults and children streamed across the grounds, headed for the scene (below).

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Crowd arrives to find parachute caught high in gum tree, Blanchard sitting astride branch (against trunk, left).

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Apparently unhurt parachutist enjoys cigarette while he waits for rescuers

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Rope thrown over branch soon got him down.

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Safe on terra firma, Blanchard looks dazed after his ordeal.