AUSTRALIA REACHED

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1930, Page 6

AUSTRALIA REACHED

AMY JOHNSON’S FEAT

LANDS AT DARWIN

(Australian Press Association.)

ATAMBOEA, May 24. j Miss Amy Johnson left here lor I Darwin at dawn to-day (Saturday.) i DARWIN, May 24. Miss Amy Johnson, wfio left Atamboea this morning to cross the Timor j Sea on her last hop to Australia, arrived here this afternoon. She was sighted at 3.37 p.m. and landed at Darwin at 3.57 p.m. (Danvin time). Her landing was a perfectly safe and successful one.

■‘“ TIRED BUT OVERJOYED

SYDNEY, May 25. . Tired—oh, so tired— but overjoyed at the.,success of her long, lonely journey through -sunshine, cloud, and storm, with tragedy often close attendant upon her wings, Miss Amy Johnson, an Empire’s heroine, and the admiration of the whole world, landed at Darwin at 3.57 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Out from the misty haze overhanging the Timor Sea to the norwest, she came, and, as her weatherstained, work-worn Moth-Jason plane approach the land, an Australian plane met her, and accompanied her to the landing ground, where a tumultuous -welcome was accorded the plucky little Briton by all the population of the Darwin district. Practically the whole of the motor strength of the Northern Territory was marshalled ■•ound about, and these added to the sounds of jubilation with their brazen throats.

As soon as Miss Johnson had been question by the Health Officer, and had stepped from her plane, she was •net by Colonel Weddell, the Government Resident, on behalf of the Commonwealth and people of Australia and was given an official welcome. She was also invited to stay at Government House.

NO INTERVIEWS

Miss Johnson refused to give any interviews, but she said that she took the flight to demonstrate the safety of the present-day aeroplanes. She said she had no expectation of any monetary reward, hut she since has accepted a handsome offer of remuneration for her story.

ACCOUNT OF LATTER STAGES

Miss Johnson stated that site had good progress on' 1 her flight all the way to Rangoon. Then trouble started After landing at the racecourse, she toppled into a ditch, breaking the propellor and a wing. This paused three days’ delay. A forced landing, she said,, had to be made near Banjk to remedy defects, and to procure a new propellor. This was obtained from Singapore. Heavy adverse winds, averaging forty miles an hour, with the south-east monsoon, then held her hack. She could not reach Sourabaya. and she was forced -down, short of fuel, when 180 miles from Batavia. She kicked off the land at Ly'ola in a rice field. From Samarang to Sourabaya, Miss Johnson stated she took a short cut over the Java Sea. Heavy squalls and tropic rains beat her plane down so much that she sometimes was only gliding a few feet above the waves, and was expecting every minute to hit the water. On one such occasion she was surrounded by rainbows producing such weird effect that she almost lost her nerve. It seemed so supernatural.. Then she saw a light spot, and she steered for it, and she thus got out of the storm. Land then came into view, and she stuck to it. When she was attempting to reach Atamoboea in one hop, Amy says, darkness overtook her, and she landed at a village sixteen miles from the day’s intended destination. There half-naked natives surrounded her, and she was terrified, but she followed them. The only words she understood from them was “Pastor,” and, after travelling two miles, they came to the church. Pastor was a priest, who fixed things up for her, so that she was then able to return to her plane, and to fly to Atamboea and complete her trip.

The flight' thrilled the people of Darwin, and Amy was enchanted by the warmth of her reception at the Aviation Ground, and later at the Town Hall, where the Mayor, Mr Adams, welcomed her on behalf of the people, whose enthusiasm was unbounded.

A NEW SONG

A new song, entitled “Amy,” com-, posed by Meta McLean, was sung for the first time in Australia at the reception at Darwin. For long hours, the people waited for word of Miss Johnson’s departure

WORLD WIDE CONGRATULATIONS

“CALL ME ‘JOHNNIE’!”

PARENTS’ JOYFUL RELIEF

ATJSTRA LI ANS PLEASED

LONDON ELATION

LONDON, May 24

THE KING’S TRIBUTE. LONDON, May 24

BRITISH TRIBUTES

NATIVE CITY JUBILANT

from Atamboea, which she left tired but full of hope, and cheered by tne plaudits of admiring well-wishers, lho news came that* the last lap had begun. Then came more waiting. The oil steamer “Phorus,” stationed on the route of the flight, about midway between Timor and Australia, -kept a sharp look-out. She saw the plane pass her before noon, and followed. The people of Darwin gathered from all parts, and -the reports from - the Phorus having made it clear that the Moth-Jason should arrive by or about four o’clock, the excitement grew more and more especially when Captain Jones took off in the plane “Spirit of Australia,” to go out and meet the aviatrix and escort her to land. He could be seen, a dim speck in the distance, and almost lost in the grey haze over the sea, circling round and waited, like the citizens below. Then, at four o’clock she came—first a dot against the misty curtain suspended offshore. Then the dot grew more distinct, and the “Spirit of Australia” was seen to make towards the advancing stranger to meet, turn and keep company with the Jason’s Quest as it winged its way shoreward. So, amidst the cheers and acclamation of a delightful crowd, Amy Johnson drew nearer and nearer, circled above the landing ground, and came to earth and to a “Journey’s. End” that will live in the annals of aviation and in the history of British endeavour.

At the civic reception in the evening, Miss Johnson asked the speakers, who thus addressed her, to use the term “Johnnie,” which, she declared, was the name that she was known by in England. She is a good speaker and kept the attention of her audience rivetted when returning thanks for the welcome. She said all hardships were well worth while in order to experience such wonderful treatment and welcome.

LONDON, May 23

“What a wonderful relief!” were the first words of Amy Johnson’s father, when told that she was safe. “Her mother was terribly worried. Neither of us could feel certain that she would roach Australia.” “Thank God for that. If T had a hat 1 would throw it into the air I” said Miss Johnson’s father when he was informed of her arrival.

SYDNEY. May 25.

Darwin’s delirious welcome to “Johnnie” is now reflected throughout Australia everywhere. Her name is on all lips, and a great sigh of relief, as well as a feeling of pride, greeted the news of her actual arrival at the northern gateway of the Commonwealth. Thousands of messages are pouring in upon the heroine of this epic flight. The messages included one of welcome and of congratulations from the Hon. Jas. Scullin, Prime Minister of Australia, on behalf of the Commonealh.

There was another from Mr T Bavin on behalf of New South Wales

The news of Miss Amy Johnson’s arrival at Darwin was received at 7.35 a.m. to-day (Saturday) with great enthusiasm. Several of the morning papers published special editions to record her arrival

The news was telephoned to Buckngham Palace, and the King was nstantly informed.

The King has ’telegraphed as follows to Lord Stonehaven (GovernorGtenerall of Australia): “The Queen and I are thankful and delighted to know of Miss Amy Johnson’s sale arrival and heartily congratulate her on her wonderful courageous achievement.”

LONDON, May 24. Sir Allan Cobban. said: “She has Domed British prestige all over the

world. Thp. man in the street vill says: “There must be something in this flying business if a girl, singlehanded, flies a small plane half way across the world.”

LONDON, May 24. To-day was a red-letter day for

Hull, which was beflagged .in Miss Amy Johnson’s honour. Saint Andrew’s dock, where her father has business interests, was also bedecked with bunting.

The Lord Mayor of Hull has cabled to Miss Johnson congratulations, saying:—“Your native city is intensely proud of its worthy daughter.” The Lord Mayor of Hull has opened a fund to provide Miss Johnson with a personal gift.

AIR MINISTER’S MESSAGE

LONDON, May .24

Lord Thomson, British Air Minister, has cabled congratulations to Miss Amy Johnson. on behalf of the British Air Council. The Air Minister adding: “As the first woman pilot to fly to Australia, you have achieved an outstanding feat df skill and endurance. Wo have watched with admiration the coolness and courage which lufve carried you through unforeseen. difficulties and disappointments.” Lord Thomson has also telegraphed congratulations to Miss Amy Johnson’s parents. LONDON, May 24. Rt. Hon Ramsay MacDonald, Prime Minister, has cabled to Miss Johnson as follows: —--“Heartiest congratulations on your wonderful achievement. Wc have followed your flight with the keenest interest and admiration. Wo are very proud of you.” LONDON, May 24.

“She swoops to conquer,” is the “Star’s” poster for Miss Johnson’s flight- news. “Amy Johnson” is the toast of the evening' at the Air Union’s dintnei to-night.