Long Flight Ended

Evening Star, Issue 19802, 28 February 1928, Page 8

Long Flight Ended

Hinkler Arrives at Home Town

Crowd Wild with Excitement

Sensational Developments at Glozei

J’lfSH Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

BRISBANE, February 27

Mr Hinkler ended Ids long flight at '4 o’clock this afternoon. r l lie last hop, from Longrcarh to llundaberg, was made against a stiong head wind, Business was practically at a standstill in Bnndaberg after dinner, the people gathering on the recreation ground to await tho airman’s arrival. Twenty thousand people watched him make a perfect landing after lie had circled the town. Tho crowd went wild with excitement, cheered themselves .hoarse, and broke through the cordon of police and special guards placed to keep the landing space clear They hoisted the flyer shoulder high and carried him to the ofiicin 1 landing stage, and one woman snatched a kiss. The mayor welcomed Mr Hinkler on behalf of tho people of Bnndaberg, and in replying to the congratulations the tlyer, iu a short speech, said that he was too overcome to say much, but lie was mighty glad to lie back again in Bu ndaberg. Tho mother and. sisters watched Ids arrival.

BROADCAST DESCRIPTION

HEARD OX LOUD SPEAK El!

(Pea United Press Association]

WELLINGTON, February 27

The arrival of Mr Hinkler at Ills home town, Bnndaberg, .Queensland, this evening was broadcast by all the principal stations through the Queensland Government station, 4QG, which had a land line from the recreation ground at Honda berg to Brisbane. Mr F. W, Sellens, of Xorthland, timed in to the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Ltd., Sydney, short-wave station, 2ME, 23.0 metres, shortly before 6.40 o'clock this evening, New Zealand time, and received with loud speaker volume a description oi the airman’s arrival at Bnndaberg. Mr Sellens could hear the shouting and cheering of the huge crowd as Mr Hinkler appeared in the clouds at a tremendous height, estimated to be about 3,000 ft, and at 6,45 o’clock the announcer said that Mr Hinkler was circling over the town and the recreation ground, and then made a beautiful lauding. The announcer remarked; “The crowd have rushed him and are now carrying him shoulder high, and bands are striking up ‘Sec the Conquering Hero Comes.’ ” When tho music ceased loud cries could be hoard ‘‘ Home at last.”

At 6.57, New Zealand time. 31 r Hinkler appeared on a platform and was greeted by the oliieial party, and the Mayor of Bundabcrg, in a most eiv thusiastic speech, welcomed and congratulated Australia’s .national hero. Colonel Brinsmead next spoke, and was followed by Mr M’C'ormack, tho Premier of Queensland, who presented the airman with a cheque for £SOO on behalf of the Queensland Government. Other speakers were Mr Barker and the secretary of tho Returned Soldiers’ Association.

Mr Hinkler, who was accompanied by his mother and brother, received a tumultuous reception when ho stepped forward to reply. Ho could bo heard saying that ho was quite overcome by the overwhelming reception, and that lie was glad to be homo again.