M. BLERIOT IN PARIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 198, 25 September 1909, Page 4

M. BLERIOT IN PARIS.

GREAT PUBLIC OVATION. CABINET'S THANKS. Paris, July 28. It would bo diflicult to conceive anything more enthusiastic than the tr. 1 - umpjial welcome given this afternoon to M. and Mine. Blcriot on their arrival at the (Jure du Nord. It was an popular luaaifestation, an ovation in which the people simply took possession

of their hero and ignored the police and arrangements. M. Lepiae, the Prefect, had taken what lie considered adequate measures, and detailed two hundred men to see that M. Bleriot and his wife were not unduly hustled. But ae soon as the ■winner of the Daily Mail *£looo prize was seen at the carriage window the crowd broke through the police cordon with deafening shouts of "Vive Bleriot!' 1 A moment later the aviator and his smiling wife were in the midst of a shouting throng of people, all trying lo shake hands with them at the same time, while the police made heivuloun efforts to bring up the hearers of two lovely bouquet* of orchids and rose* 1 offered by the Aero t'iub and Touring; Club to Mmc. Bleriot. It was a long time b. fore the vicl ii' of the Channel could reach M. iiaitliou. Minister of Justice, who was waiting with M. llillerand, .Minister of I'ubiic; Works, M. Santos Dumoiit, and the leading members of Uti.- Aero Club u> * receive liiin. When he eventually emerged from the clamoring, gestieulat- (. ing throng the per«pira Lion was trickling down M. Bleriot's cheeks and Bleriot was wearing her hat at a most unusual angle. l u a few sentences M. Barthou said he was there because the Government of France would be failing in its duty if it did not delegate one |of lis representatives to salute the Frenchman who was first to cross the ; Channel in an aeroplane. The glory he had won was reflected on all his feilowcountrymeii, and in the name of he 1 Government and nation he (M. Barthoa) i ! could simply say "Merci" J I THE HERO'S CHILDREN. By superhuman efforts a lane was • j.made through the dense sea of humanity | to where a carriage decorated with tri- : ! color ribbons was standing. Mtnu. • ; Bleriot's chubby children, looking sweat and pretty ill their simple summer > dresses, were waiting by the doorway ,of the Customs hall to kiss their mother, but she was swept past them I and lifted into the carriage. A score of ! mounted Municipal Guards immediately encircled the vehicle, and it started out lof the court amid cheers and tumultnjous shouts of "Vive Bleriot!" So dense- ] ly packed was the ma6s of people that for" a time it was impossible to advance. , Only when mounted men rode at spectators did the latter retreat and allow , the carriage to advance. For four miles, all the way from the • Garu du Nord to the Aero Club i n the . Champ=-E!ysecs. the couple drove ,' through streets lined with vociferating people. All Paris seemed to be out of door?;, and from windows and balconies . men. and children waved hands , ad lluttered handkerchiefs. , i At the Aero Club M. and Mme. . Bleriot were received by the Comtc do . la Vaulx. the president." who said they i had decided to present M. Bleriot with , the highest award in their power, a •' special gold medal r eserved for the ( pioneers of aviation. The Count then ; kwsod M. Bleriot fervently on both che -k«. and after a modest reply by the flatter his health and that of his "rle.•voted and valiant companion" were : ! drunk in champagne. Only then was I ! Mine. Bleriot able to kiss her children. ' who-o delight was one of the most .'pleading incidents of a memorable ne- ; jensinn. M. Bleriot was later presented »I with a handsome work of art by i:ifl workmen, after which he and his wife > and children were permitted to drive , home.