MISS BATTEN'S RETURN

Marlborough Express, Volume LXVIII, Issue 148, 25 June 1934, Page 5

MISS BATTEN'S RETURN

i m NEW ZEALAND'S HEROINE A GREAT WELCOME. AUCKLAND EN FETE.

Press Association Telegram.

AUCKLAND, June 25. New Zealand's most distinguished aviatrix, Miss Jean Batten, made a triumphant return to her homelana to-day. The liner Aorangi, by which she came, arrived soon after daylight, but it was met out in the Hauraki Gulf by a welcoming aeroplane, which was presently joined by another. Owing to the earliness of the ship's arrival, and the mistiness of the morning, there was not a iarge crowd on the wharf when the ship berthed, but there were plenty of signs of a desire to honour Miss Batten in recognition of her great achievemept All the ships in port were dressed foi the occasion, the ferries hooted a wel - come, and on the whai'f a band played and a group of women — former pupils of Remuera Ladies' College — cheered lustily. The first to greet Miss Batten were her father, Mr F. H. Batien, and her brother. They were closely followed by Mr D. Ardell, representing the Government, and by a group of Miss Batten'S former schoolmates, who garlanded her with vioiels and greeted her enthusiastically. Then, for over half an hour, she placed herself at the disposal of press* and cinema photographers. Obviously delighted by her reception, but cairn, unaffected, and gracious, she won everyone's admi-ra-tion. In between continual calls for her attention she remarked that she had experienced as great a thrill on seeing the coast of New Zealand as on sighting the coast of Australia, although the circumstances were vastly different. She spoke enthusiastically of her welcomes in Australia and of Lord Wakefield's help. Later - she was drive n to her hotei in a motor - car, which flew the New Zealand ensign, and in which she sat almost hidden by bouquets.