AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1928, Page 2

AVIATION.

JIINKLER ARRIVES HOME. A TUMULTUOUS RECEPTION. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) BRISBANE, bob. 27. llinkler ended lii.s long flight at lour . this afternoon. 'the last hop I rum Longreaeh to Bundaberg was made against strong head winds. , Business was practically at a standstill in Bundaberg after dinner. People on the recreation ground to await the airman's arrival, numbering 20,000, watched him make a perfect landing, after lie had circled the town. The crowd was wild with excitement, cheered themselves hoarse, and broke through a cordon ot police and special guards, placed to keep the landing space clear. They hoisted the flier .shoulder-high and carried him to the official landing stage. Gne woman snatched a kiss. The Mayor welcomed Hinkler, on behalf of the people of Bundaberg. Replying to congratulations, the flier, in a short speech, said he was too overcome to say much, hut he was mighty glad to he back again in Bundaberg. His mother and sisters watched his arrival. BROADCASTED RECEPTION. WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. The arrival of Hinkler at his home town, Bundaberg, this evening. was broadcasted by all the principal Australian broadcast stations, through the old Government station 4QG. winch had a land line from the recreation ground at Hutulnberg to Brisbane. ”Mr F. TV. Rollons. of Northland, tuned in the Amalgamated (Australasia). Ltd., Sidney, a short wave station (2 M.K., 28.5 metres), shortly before H. 10 o'clock this evening (New Zealand time). and received with loud-speaker volume a description of Hinkler’s arrival at Bundaberg. spoken from the Bundaberg teCTontion ground, at (>.!'.! o’clock New Zealand time. Mr Sellens could hear the shouting and cheering of the huge crowd as Hinkler appeared in the clouds at a tremendous height, estimated to he 3000 feet. At 0.45 o’clock the announcer said that Hinkler was circling over the town ami the recreation ground, and then made a beautiful landing. The announcer remarked. ‘'The crowd have rushed him, and are now carrying him shoulder high, the hands striking up 'See, the Conquering Hero Comes.’’ When the music ceased, loud cries could he heard. “Home at last.” At fi.ni (New Zealand time), llinkler appeared on a platform, and was greeted by the official party. The Mayor of Bundaberg. in a most enthusiastic- speech, welcomed and congratulated Austi.ilia’s national hero. Colonel Brinsmoad next spoke, followed by the Hon Mr McCormack (Premier of Queensland). who present 'd llinkler with a cheque for 9500 on behalf of the old Government. Other speakers were Mr Barker. M.L.\.. and Secretary of the Return'd Soldiers’ Association. Hinkler, who was accompanied hv his mother and brother, received a tumultuous reception when ho stopped forwaul to reply. He could he heard saying that he was quite overcome by the overwhelming reception, and that he was glad to lie home again. HINKLER INTERVIEWED. (Received this dnv at 10.15 a.m.) BRISBANE, b'eli. 28. Hinkler interviewed at Bundaberg ' said the flight to Australia cost him ; £55 approximately. U was difficult . to workout exactly the cost, because I the price, of octroi varied from Is (id - per gallon in Britain to 3s fid at Bas- - He did 25 to the gallon and used L U 0 gallons. Ho used very little oil. L i ’PLANE MISSING. - VANCOUVER. I‘ he. 20. f New York reports that the aii search failed to reveal the fate of - pilot Walter Hendricks, and the iin- . identified passenger who have not re- . turned to Curtis Field from an air- . plane Right fifty miles seaward on - Saturday night. . DIRIGIBLE’S LONG FLIGHT. WASHINGTON. F eh. 20. The dirigible Los Angeles left Lnke- . hurst, New Jersey, this morning, to > attempt a non-stop Right to Panama. To-night the craft was reported 309 miles'north of Nassau in the Bahamas Group. i MAIL ’PLANE CRASHES. VANCOUVER. Fob. 20. ‘ A message from Aurora. Nebiaska, > reported that Mr F. X. (Taig, " t>i,s- - senger was burned to death and the • pilot, Mr Frank Yeager, was injured, • when an air mail plane hound from Omaha to Cheyenne, crashed to-day. AIRMAN FALLS IN SEA. i WASHINGTON. February 20. ; A message from Sebastian, Fronda, • states that a flivver airplane which i fell into the sea on Saturday night. on route from Detroit to Miami, in ■ charge of Harry Brooks, was located to-day hut there was no trace <»f Brooks.