Reception of Hawker and Grieve:

Taihape Daily Times, 30 May 1919, Page 6

Reception of Hawker and Grieve:

ETKAOKDINAEY SCENES.

LONDON, May 27

No one knows exactly what happened in the next few minutes after the train's arrival. Australians climbed on tcp of the carriage, pulling lady friends after them. Then, amid piercing coo-ecs and singing "Australia will be There," Hawker was carried to a motor car, which, the Australians had prepared. When it was found impossible to move this, Hawker crawled over the heads and shoulders of the crowd in order to reach a policeman's horse, which he rode to the Aero Club. Arrived there, Hawker was lifted from the horse and borne by a burly policeman into the building.

Grieve reached the Club aboard a motor lorry. INCIDENTS OF THE FLIGHT. LONDON, May 27.' The only food the aviators had during the Hight was a sandwich, a bar Oi! chocolate, and several cups of hot ioffee. Hawker was very seasick when he descended to the surface of the ocean. The wireless installation proved useless, but otherwise the filter getting rusty was the only trouble. Hawker states it is a hundred to one that he will fly the Atlantic this summer. HAWKER ANXIOUS TO TRY AGAIN. LONDON, May 27. Hawker, interviewed, said he was willing and eager to attempt the Atlantic again. It depended on the Sopwith Company. The flight could and would be accomplished very soon. "We imd bad luck. There was no physical strain. The machine and engine proved perfect. The fault, was we took too many precautions. The machine | had been idle for two months, and probably there was slight internal rusting, which caused choking. J won't have filters next time."

Hawker said he could not understand why everybody thought they were lost. There were as many ships in the Atlantic without wireless as there were with it. His chief anxiety was to get

r. message to his wife. The experience was most valuable, especially in the matter of navigation.

A tremendous crowd at King's Cross Station welcomed Hawker and Grieve, who were astonished at the enthusiasm of their reception. Several thousand Australians were among the crowd. Men climbed on the roof s of the railway carriages. An Australian guard of honour was lined up on the platform, and the band played, "Australia Will bo There." Senator Pcarce, accompanied by Australian flying officers, welcomed and ('•owned Hawker and Grieve with Australian hats. Australians carried

Hawker and Grieve on their shoulders to a car, and 'dragged it through the streets. Others jcarried Grieve into the street. They drove off together amid wild cheering along the crowded route to the Aero Club. An extraordinary episode occurred when the procession jammed. Australians started to carry Hawker on their shoulders, when a bright spirit in the crowd suggested hoisting him on a constable's horse. This was immediately done, and Howker rode behind the constable for some time. Then the constable dismounted, and Hawker continued to lead the precession on horseback, carrying a big bouquet of roses.

There was a similar Avelecuue at Kingston, where the workmen of the Sopwith Company dragged the motor car one and a-half miles.