HAWKER'S RETURN.
SCENES OF DELIRIOUS ENTHUSIASM. MORE TRYING THAN THE ATLANTIC FLIGHT. ReeeiTfid May 2S, 9.40 p.m. London, May 27. London is becoming wildly excited as Hawker approaches. The enthusiasm of the Australian troops is contagious, and Micro is much speculation and much nervousness as to where it will all end. Hawker had a triumphal night journey through Scotland. People gathered at the stations, hoping for a glimpse of the aviators in the train. There was much bngp-ping. At Edinburgh immense crowds ovationed Hawker and Grieve. Hawker was carried shoulder high to a hotel, where lie breakfasted. Both men wore heartily farewelkd on departing far England. There were many stirring scenes along the route through the English provinces. An escort of aeroplanes accompanied the train from Grantham. Messrs Pearce and Fisher welcomed Hawker and Grieve at King's Cross station. The Aero Club were obliged to limit the number of motor-cars in the nrocessjon to two hundred. The police diverted all traffic from the route. Railwaymen have planned a fog signal welcome \vhen the airmen travel home from the Aero Club.
Australian soldiers took complete charge of the reception at the station and gave a rousing welcome. They permitted the Mayor of St. Pancraa and Mr. Pearce only a few moments, and then shouldered Hawker and Grieve. Windows and wind-screens of several waiting cars wore smashed bv the eager onlookers. Many women fainted in the crush along ihe route. The Australians were thoroughly good humored; two hundred, hauling a long rope, drapped Hawker's and brieve's motor car, preceded by a band.
Everywhere there were scenes of fhe liveliest enthusiasm, aeroplantea doing overhead stunts. 'Dense crowds gathered at the Aero Club, where mounted police were keeping the passage clear. Mr. Fisher and a committee welcomed the aviators. Hawker, in a brief speech, minimised his effort. The success, such as it WRs, depended solely on the excellent machine Grieve also spoke belittling his share iti the adventure. When the aviators, with Mrs. Hawker, appeared at the Aero Club windows they were wildly cheered. Hawker and his wife, in a motor, escorted by mounted police, left for a private dinner partyBoth aviators will be guests at a luncheon at the Savoy Hotel on Wednesday. An aerial gala has been arranged to take place at Hendon on Siaturday and Sunday, in which Hawker and Grieve have promised to participate. The feeling is growing that the heroes should not be permitted to ri3k their lives doing stunts at Hendon.
Grieve, interviewed, recalled the fact .that he served in the navy in Australian waters in 1901-4, and knew what an ; Australian welcome would be. It was | much more trying than the Atlantic flight. Ho liad not contemplated a flight to Australia; the Atlantic was still unconquered.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. Received May 28, 11.40 p.m. London, May 27. No one knows exactly what Jioppened in the next few minutes after the train's arrival. The Australians climbed on the top of the eprriage, pulling lady friends after them. Then, amid piercing cooeea 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. The only food the aviators had during the flight was a sandwich, a bar of chor colate and several cups of hot coffee. Hawker was very seasick when he descended to the surface of the ocean. The wireless installation proved useless. Otherwise, the filter getting rusty was the only trouble. Hawker states that it is a hundred to one he will fly the Atlantic this summer. New York May 28. A dispatch from St. Johns states that the steamship Lake Charlottesville picked up parts of Hawker's aeroplane and mails carried therein.
Mr. Pearce, accompanied by Australian , flying officers, welcomed and crowned Hawker and Grieve with Australian hats. The Australians earried Hawker on shoulder to a car, and dragged it through the street. Others carried Grieve into the street. They drove off together amid wild cheering along a crowded route to the Aero Club. An extraordinary episode occurred when the procession jammed and the Australians started to carry Hawker on their shoulders. A bright spirit in the crowd suggested hoisting him to a constable's horse. This was immediately dene, and Hawker rode behind, a constable for some time. Then the constable dismounted, and Hawker continued to lead the procession on horseback, carding a big bouquet of roses. A similar welcome awaited him at Kingstown, where the workmen of the Sopwith Company dragged the motor car 1J miles. EAGER AND WILLING TO START AGAIN. THE FLIGHT CAN BE DONE. AN AMAZING RECEPTION.
Received May 28, 11.5 p.m. London, May 27. Hawker, interviewed, said: "I am willing and eager to attempt the Atlantic again. It depends on the Sopwith Company. The flight can and will be accomplished very soon. We had bad luck. There was no physical strain. The machine and engine proved perfect. The fault was that we took too many precautions. The maohine had been idle for a couple of months, and probably there w.i- siinhl internal lusting, which caused choking. I won't have filters next time." I lawyer said he couldn't understand why everybody thought they were lost. There were as many ships' in the Atlantic without wireless as there are with it. His chief anxiety was to get a message to his wife. The experience was valuable, especially in the matter of navigation. The topic of the hour is Hawker's amazing reeepfckm. Hundreds of thouiwnds of men and womaa gathetad be-
tween King's Cross and the Aero Clnb to lionise the heroes. No ovation accorded the Kong or general in living memory equalled Hawker's. The size of the crowd and the impetuosity of the Australians made the carrying out of the programme impossible. All pire-arranged plans were swept aside. When the Diggers determined to take charge of the proceedings, word was passed round: "The Aussies must have him," so Hawker was kidnapped immediately he appeared in the carriage door. —Aua. N.Z. Cable Assoc.
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Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1919, Page 5
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1,052HAWKER'S RETURN. Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1919, Page 5
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