MISS JEAN BATTEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 195, 31 May 1934, Page 5

MISS JEAN BATTEN

ADVENTURES OF HER FLIGHT.

SANDSTORMS AND MONSOONS. PASSING OVER THE TIMOR SEA. CHANGED CONDITIONS A RELIEF (United Press Association—Copyngul) (Received This Day/9.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Interviewed,, Miss Jean Batten said that in her flight, packed with adventure, she could not time "when she was flying through the monsoons. It w as so dark she could not see the instrument board and had to use an electric torch. Down the Burmese coast she was flying absolutely "blind" for half an'hour. It was not an exhilarating experience. The weather was very bad in | parts. "... "I was faced not only with bad sandstorms in Syria and Mesopotamia but also with ■ unbearable v. heat in India," she said. Asked how she felt about crossing the- Timor Sea in a single-engined ''plane, Miss Batten said; "Because of the strong head/winds I was over the Timor sea for 8f hours, but when .I looked back over the,terrific heat I had encountered in other parts of the journey it was an intense relief to look down on such a delightful-looking sheeti of water, even without, being fortified with a lifebelt, parachute or collapsible boat." , . -;- THE RADIOPHONE INTERVIEW. CLEARLY HEARD IN LONDON. (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, May 30. The •'brightest thing the news-reel has yet done was the showing of a radiophone interview with Miss Jean Batten in Sydney, telling the whole story of her flight. Every word was clearly heard as though recorded in the studio. ." '

TALK WITH KINGSFORD SMITH.

HER FIRST FLIGHT RECALLED. (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) ,„,,. , ~ .""SYDNEY, This. Day. ; H Land line and short-wave Wireless across the Pacific linked Miss Batten and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. / Speaking from San Francisco, Sir Charles was introduced to Miss Batten by Flight-Lieutenant Ulm. Miss Batten said, 'Hullo, Smithy; thanks for congratulations. I was thrilled when I flew over Richmond 'drome and looked down on the place where, in 1929,. you took me for myi first flight in the Southern Cross."

i CAPTIVATING PERSONALITY.

NEAT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,

SYDNEY, May 30.

Nothing more inspiring has happened here in recent years,than the arrival of Miss Batten, on the conclusion of her flight from England, at Sydney, at 3 p.m. to-day. In bracing, sunny weather, Miss Batten was greeted in the air by 20 aeroplanes, cheered at Mascot by 5000 enthusiastio people, warmly welcomed and congratulated by representative people from the Governor-General to the Mayor of the local municipality, and embraced and kissed by proud members of her own sex. Miss Batten not only retained her composure during the long ordeal, but was able to deliver probably the neatest speech of acknowledgment heard at this historic aerodrome. Miss Batten, with her escort of aeroplanes, which included the Southern Cross, and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's glistening Pereival Gull, came into view from the west at about 2.45 p.m. She passed over the harbour bridge and the city on her way to Mascot Aerodrome. Every roof-top, more or'less, was crowded with business men and women, office girls and clerks while sightseers craned their necks from upper storey windows. All were thrilled with the graceful overhead spectacle and the stirring achievements of the young New Zealand aviatrix whose tiny Moth almost lost its identity among Oie group of similar machines. '■ , • Miss Batten landed after the majority of the other machines into a Hghfc south-west breeze, and then began the stampede of people in her direction. Bv the time she had taxied back to the dais the crowd was unmanageable. An army of cinema and Press photographers swooped down on her, and before she was able to leave the cockpit of her machine a dozen burly policemen went to her assistance, .Housing cheers greeted her as she stepped into the open, clad in a wlute flying coat, beneath which she wore white overalls. Women forced thenway in and embraced her, and men shook hands with her most cordially, arid to each Jean smiled cheerfully and triumphantly. Her strong and captivating personality instantly appealed to-all about her. Hardly had she removed her goggles when several bouquets were thrust into her hands. The crowd was still

cheering and excited men and women were pushing through the rows of people to give their personal greetings.

Speeches praising Miss Batten were made by Mr Tyler (acting-president of the N.S.W. Aero Club), Major Shannon (representing the GovernorGeneral and the Lieut-Governor), Mr K. Parkhill (Postmaster-General (representing the Commonwealth Government), Colonel M, F. Bruxner (representing the State Government) and Mr T. J. Schmitt (Now Zealand Government Commissioner). Mr Schmitt said: "New Zealand' ers, 45,000" of whom, live in Australia, are supremely proud of our Jean, who has achieved such a signal victory. We are delighted to have the opportunity of joining with the Australians in heartily welcoming this courageous aviatrix. The whole of New Zealand and other parts of the Empire appreciated the daring exploit to the full, and are tremendously enthusiastic about it. Mr Parkhill said Miss Batten was qualified to take her place among the immortals of aviation. Mrs Prentice (president of the New Zealand Women's Association) said it gave her special pleasure to welcome one-.of her own sex, especially as she was a New Zealander. Miss Batten's Reply. When Miss Batten rose to reply, she received an ovation. A voice interjected, "Good old New Zealand." In a very clear voice, she said: "I want you all to know how pleased and thrilled 1 am to be in Sydney, to realise how near I am to my native land, an* that I have accomplished the flight successfully. I arrived, in Australia just before Empire Day, aiid I hope my flight will help to strengthen the great bonds not... only between Eng land, Australia and New Zealand, but between all the Dominions and colonies of our great empire. \ "On my flight from Darwin I had an escort provided by Lord Wakefield. This is just another example of his generosity, without which I could not have accomplished the flight- It has been well worth doing if only to receive this wonderful, enthusiastic, rousing welcome, you have given me today, for which I am deeply thankful.*' Miss Batten was afterwards driven round the aerodrome for the benefit of the spectators, and afterwards she had afternoon tea at the aero club rooms. Later she was brought to the city. A tremendous crowd blocked the traffic near the Hotel Australia, where she is staying. She was officially welcomed to-night by the Premier MrJ3. S. B. Stevens) at the Town Hall, ihe speeches were broadcast to New Zealand To-morrow Miss Batten will be the guest of the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir .Phillip Street) and later she will be the guest of the Millions Club, and the New 'Zealand Women's Association. Miss Batten had a broadcast talk with London soon after, her arrival. She spoke in the happiest vein and ■ended by telling the announcer at - the other end that she had no definite plans for the future. In response to the cordial speeches Miss Batten gave high praise to her "little four-vear-old aeroplane" and her mother, who "stood by me, cheered me when I was downhearted, and spurred me on to success Mother denied herself and made sacrifices that I might attain my ambition, and now l believe she is pleased with me l am proud to be the daughter of a woman made of such sterling material," she said.