AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1928, Page 2

AVIATION.

HINKLER SAFE. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Feb. 25. Airs Hinkler is most anxious. She motored from Southampton to London to see the King, and called at the office of the Australian Press, which had arranged to communicate to her the first news from Australia at any hour of the day or night. FORCED DOWN BY STORM. SYDNEY, Fob .25. Hinkler arrived at Camoowal shortly after noon to-day. He explained that lie was forced to land down some distance away, on account of a severe dust storm, iicad winds and low visibility. Hinkler camped the night beside i»e piano. Build if berg. 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. Alessages from Camooweal state that after leaving Darwin, Hinkler had a gruelling time, flying over the Northern Territory. For hours lie was battling against extreme heat, dust storms and had visibility, lill finally he was forced to tome down and landed at Alloy Downs Staton on Friday afternoon, suffering from heat and thirst. Tie slept the night under a windmill at the station. Next morning, one of the station black hoys informed him of his position, and thence after a good night’s rest Hinkler Hew to Alexandria station, had breakfast and continued his flight to Camooweal, where lie arrived at one o’clock yesterday afternoon. The airmail was in great spirits, and appears to have suffered no ill effects, lie states that when forced down the engine was running well, hut the healand dust winds made living absolutely impossible. Camooweal gave Hinkler a public reception last night. He intended to leave for Longreacli aL dawn to-day and to fly thence to Bundaberg. where he expects to arrive this afternoon. XI'.AY ZEALAND’S CONGRATULATIONS. SPRINGFIELD, Fob. 25. The Prime Alinister has forwarded the following telegram to the Prime Alinister of Australia, at Canberra: “ New Zealand extends hearty congratulations to Captain Hinkler on his magnificent achievement in successfully completing his record flight Irom Loudon to Austrafu. His Wonderful performance is not only a signal tribute to his courage and skill, hut is an outstanding event in the progressive development ol linking tip the air communications between the Overseas Dominions of the Empire and the Alothoi Country. AYe send our best wishes for the safe termination of his journey at his home town.” AMERICAN TRIBUTE. AVA’SHIXGTON, Feb. 23. Air Trubce Dawson. Assistant Secretary of AA'ar. says the economy of a>r travel is demonstrated by Hinkler’s flight. “ This courageous skilled British airman flew 12,000 miles in fifteen days, at a cost oi about two cents a mile. There is really nothing tlirther to say. 'The facts and figures speak toi themselves.” HINKLER SAFE. (Received this day at !) a.m.) BRISBANE. Fob. Hinkler landed sately at Longreacli at five in the afternoon. FREXCTIM AN’S TX VEXIT ON. PARIS. Eeh. 21. M. Riithens, an ex-student of the Military Aviation School, has patented a new type of aeroplane. .vth which ii is claimed lie can rise and descend vertically. It is a. small touring biplane, with on eight foot span, and a ten horse power engine, with a radius of 375 miles.