MR HINKLER SAFE

Evening Star, Issue 19801, 27 February 1928, Page 4

MR HINKLER SAFE

Forced Down by Dust Storm

Expected at Bundaberg To-day

Empire Settlement Discussed

in Commons

Cavell Film Causes

Controversy

P«35 Association 1 —By Telegraph—Copyright,

SYDNEY, February 25. Mr Hinkler arrived at Camooweal shortly after noon to-day. He explained that ho had been forced down some distance away on account of a severe dust storm, head winds, and low visibility. Ho camped the night beside the ’plane. Bundaberg, Mr Hinkler’s home town and destination, is thronged with people waiting to welcome him. The town went wild with joy when the fact that be was safe was made known. A GRUELLING TIME FLYING IMI’OSSIBLE. SYDNEY, February 26. Messages from Camooweal state that efter leaving Darwin Mr Hinkler had a gruelling time Hying over the Northern Territory. For hours he was battling against extreme heat, dust storms, and bad visibility, till finally ho was forced to come down, and he landed at Alroy Down Station on Friday afternoon, suffering from the heat and thirst. Ho slept the night under a windmill at the station, and next morning one of the station black boys informed him of his position. Thence, after a good night’s rest, he flew to Alexandria Station, had breakfast, and continued his flight to Camooweal, where lie arrived at 1 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 down the engine was running well, but the heat, dust, and winds made flying absolutely impossible. Camooweal gave Mr Hinkler a public reception last night. He intended to leave for Longreaeh at dawn to-day, and to fly thence to Bundaberg, where he expects to arrive this afternoon. 'ARRIVAL AT LONGREACH. BRISBANE, February 26. [ [(Received February 27, at 1.30 a.m.) Mr Hinkler landed safely at Longyeach at 5 o’clock this afternoon. MRS HINKLER ANXIOUS. LONDON, February 25. Mrs Hinkler is most anxious She motored from Southampton to London eeeking news, and called at the office of the Australian Tress, which Ims arranged to communicate to her the first news from Australia at any hour of the day or night. DOMINION’S CONGRATULATIONS. MESSAGE FROM MR COATES. SPRINGFIELD, February 25. The Prime Minister has forwarded the following telegram to the Prime Minister of Australia at Canberra; “New Zealand extends hearty congratulations to Captain Hinkler on his 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 Unking up the air communications between the overseas dominions of the Empire and the Mother Country. We send onr best washes for the sale termination of his journey at his home town.” RECEIVED BY MR BRUCE. CANBERRA, February 27. (Received February 27, at 10.5 a.m.) Mr Bruce has received from f Mr Coates a cable conveying New Zealand’s congratulations to Mr Hinkler on the success of his flight.