HINKLER’S FAMOUS FLIGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3760, 28 February 1928, Page 2

HINKLER’S FAMOUS FLIGHT.

DOMINION’S CONGRATULATIONS. The Prime Minister has forwarded the following telegram to the Prime Minister of Australia at Canberra :—• “New Zealand extends hearty congratulations to Captain Hinkler on magnificent achievement in successfully completing his record flight from London to Australia. His wonderful performance is not only a signal tribute to his courage and ski.lj, but is an outstanding event, in the progressive development of linking up the air communications between overseas Dominions of the Empire and the Mother Country. We send oi\r best wishes for the safe termination of his journey at his home town.” THE FLIGHT IN FIGURES. Miles Feb. 7. —London to Rome 800 Feb. 8. —Rome to Malta 500 Feb. 9, 10. —Malta to Tebruk

1000 Feb. 11—Tebruk to Ramleh 300 Feb. 12. —Ramleh to Basra 750 Feb. 13. —Basra to Jask 700 Feb. 14. —Jask to Karachi 600 Feb. 16. —Karachi to Calcutta 1350 Feb. 18.—-Calcutta to Burma 1100 Feb. 19. —Burma to Singapore 900 Feb. 20. —-Singapore to Batavia 600 Feb. 22. —'Batavia to Darwin 1500 HINKLER’S ARRIVAL BROADCASTED. A GREAT RECEPTION. Wellington, Last Night..

The arrival of Bert Hinkler at his home town Bun da-berg, Queensland, this evening was broadcasted by a'l the principal Australian broadcast stations through the Queensland Government station 40G which had a landline from the recreation ground Bundaberg to Brisbane. Mr. F. W. Sellens, of Northland, tuned in the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd., Sydney, short-wave, state 2ME 28.5 metres shortly before 6.40 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 recreation ground. At 6.40 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, estimate! to be about ,3000 ft. At 6.45 o’clock ' the announcer said that Hinkler was circling over the town and recreation ground and then made a beautiful landing. The announcer remarked: “The crowd have rushed him and are now carrying him shoulder high and the bands are striking up “See the Conqtiering Hero Comes.” • When the music ceased loud cries could be heard “home at last.” At 6.57, New Zealand time, Hinkler appeared on a platform and was greeted by the official party. The Mayor of Bundaberg, in a most enthusiastic speech, welcomed and congratulated the airman. Colonel Brinsmead next spoke, followed by the Hon. Mr. McCormack, Premier of Queensland, who presented Hinkler with a cheque for £SOO on behalf of the Queensland Government. Other speakers were Mr. Barker, M.L.A., and the secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association.

Hinkler, who was accompanied by his mother and sisters, receive! a tumultuous reception when he stepped forward to reply. He could be heard saying that lie was quite overcome by the overwhelming reception, and that lie was glad to he home again. PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM . THE KING. Rugby, February 20. The King lias sent a personal message of congratulation to Hinkler through Lord Stonehaven, Go-vernor-General of Australia.