HINKLER REACHES AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 124, 23 February 1928, Page 11

HINKLER REACHES AUSTRALIA

LANDS AT DARWIN AT SIX OCLOCK LAST EVENING AVIATOR ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOMED By Telegraph—Press Association. —Copyright. (Rec. February 22, 10.15 p.m.) Darwin, February 22Hinkler landed safely at six o clock. The whole town has been agog all day, and every preparation was made for the landing and an enthusiastic welcome. The warship Melbourne left early in the morning for Singapore, steering along the line of Hinkler’s flight, and keeping a sharp look-out. .GREAT INTEREST IN LONDON Rugby, February 21. Growing interest is being displayed in the progress of Captain Hinkler as he approaches the objective of his great solo flight from Croydon to Australia. People in London acquainted with his ’plane anticipate he will attempt the long hop of 1000 miles from the eastern extremity of Java to Timor to-morrow, and if this is successfully accomplished there will remain only the final stage of 600 miles to Port Darwin. This section is perilous, since the normal difficulties are liable to be increased by foul weather, for the rainy season now prevailsIf Australia is reached by Thursday the whole journey will have been accomplished in 17 days. He has already established several records on this flight, and the newspapers pay a higli tribute to his skill in linking- Java with London in less than 14 days. The mail steamer takes 33 days for the journey.—British Official Wireless.