HINKLER SAFE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 127, 27 February 1928, Page 9

HINKLER SAFE

+ GRUELLING JOURNEY ACROSS NORTHERN TERRITORY HAMPERED BY GREAT HEAT AND DUST STORMS FORCED TO DESCEND, BUT RESUMES FLIGHT NEXT MORNING LANDED AT LONGREACH YESTERDAY The fears entertained for the safety of Hinkler on Saturday proved groundless. The airman arrived at Camooweal at noon on Saturday, having been unable to make headway against a severe dust storm, head winds, and low visibility. He was forced to descend on Friday, and camped beside his machine all night, resuming his journey in the morning. The airman continued his flight yesterday, and arrived at Longreach.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Rcc. February 27, 12.5 p.m.) Brisbane, February 26. Hinkler landed safely at Longreach at five this afternoon.

FLIGHT OVER NORTHERN TERRITORY A GRUELLING BATTLE EXTREME HEAT AND DUST STORMS FLYING ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE (Rec. February 26, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, February 26. Hinkler arrived at Camooweal vii Saturday shortly after noon. He explained that he was forced down some distance away on account of a severe dust storm, head winds and low visibility Hinkler camped all night ueside his plane. Bundaberg, Hinkler’s home town and destination, is thronged with people waiting to welcome him. The town went wild with joy when his safety was announced. Messages from Camooweal state that after leaving Darwin Hinkler had a gruelling time flying over the Northern Territory. For hours he was battling against extreme heat, dust storms, and bad visibility, till finally he was forced to come down and landed at Alroy Downs station on Friday afternoon,

suffering from heat and thirst. He slept at night under a windmill at the station bore. Next morning one of the station black boys informed him of his position. Hinkler then flew to Alexandria station, had breakfast, and continued his flight to Camooweal. where he arrived at one o’clock yesterday afternoon. The airman is in great spirits and appears to have suffered no ill effects. He states that when he was forced down the engine was running well, but the heat, dust and winds made flying absolutely impossible. Camooweal gave Hinkler a public reception last night. He intended to leave for Longreach at dawn to-dav and to fly thence to Bundaberg, where lie expects to arrive this afternoon. DOMINION’S CONGRATULATIONS The Prime Minister has forwarded tile following telegram to the Prime Minister of Australia at Canberra:— “New Zealand extends hearty congratulations to Captain Hinkler on magnificent achievement in successfully completing his record flight from London to, Australia. His wonderful performance is not only .a signal tribute to his courage and skill, but is an outstanding event in the progressive development of linking up the air communications between overseas Dominions of the Empire and the Mother Country. We send our best wishes for the safe termination of his journey at his home town.”