They weren't called paparazzi in 1934 but one of them was there to take this intrusive photo when Smithy was attempting to enjoy his breakfast at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu. The caption on the reverse of this photo reads:

A good old American breakfast, bacon and eggs for an epoch-making world flier. Capt Charles Kingsford-Smith shortly after his first landing in the United States on his recent spectacular Pacific flight, devoured a hearty breakfast at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Honolulu. Smith and his co-pilot Capt. P.G. Taylor were in the air for 25 hours on the hop between Suva and Honolulu, U.S.A. Photos were brought to California from Hawaii by the Matson liner Monterey.

In his book Pacific Flight (p.214), P.G. Taylor's only reference to this breakfast is that they were joined by John and Beris Stannage (who had arrived on the Aorangi on 26 October and departed for San Francisco on the Monterey on 29 October). However, P.G. Taylor does provide a clue to the identity of the paparazzo as he and Smithy seek solace in their hotel suite after the long flight.

Then someone else comes in. Becoming slightly bored with this perpetual disturbance I raise myself out of a pleasant coma to do something about it, and find John Williams, from Sydney, now on the staff of the Honolulu 'Star Bulletin'. This man has a habit of getting news without being irritating. Frankly, I would at the moment have been glad if he had left us alone, but before we left Honolulu we owed John and Mrs Williams a debt of hospitality that I fail to see how we can ever repay. He started by photographing Smithy in his bath, and ended by becoming our host and excellent companion during our stay on the island of Oahu.

Picture: Tim Kalina Collection