AIR TRAVEL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1938, Page 7

AIR TRAVEL

DUTCH LINER REACHES SYDNEY TENDERED CORDIAL WELCOME RECEPTION AT CANBERRA TODAY By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. SYDNEY, July 5. The Royal Dutch Airlines machine, vzhich left Amsterdam two days after the British Empire flying-boat Challenger left Southampton, landed at Mascot aerodrome at 2.45 p.m. today, 47 hours out from Batavia. At least 1000 people welcomed the large air liner on which the Royal Netherlands Indies flag was hoisted. First out of the plane was Mr H. Nieuwenhius, general manager of K.N.1.L.M., who was presented with a bouquet of wattle blooms by Mrs Lammers, wife of the general manager of K.P.M. A similar bouquet was presented to the commander of the plane, Captain van Messel, who paid attribute to the ground organisation in Australia. Mr Nieuwenhius expressed the hope that the service from Batavia and Java to Sydney, which was being inaugurated by the flight, would prove successful. The plane will fly to Canberra tomorrow, where the crew and passengers are to be accorded an official reception by the Commonwealth Government. UNLUCKY AIRCRAFT. CHALLENGER DAMAGED AGAIN. TOWNSVILLE, July 5. The Empire flying-boat Challenger which left Darwin at 8.15 a.m. landed here at 5.15 p.m., covering 1200 miles distance at an average speed of 172 miles an hour. While refuelling at Karumba, a launch collided with the starboard float, denting it in the same manner as the other float was dented at Darwin. The final stage of the trip to Sydney is expected to be completed tomorrow afternoon.