A BUSY DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 128, 1 June 1934, Page 7

A BUSY DAY.

ROUND OF WELCOMES.

Signal Honours Conferred on

Miss Batten.

GUEST OP N.S.W. GOVERNMENT

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 9.30 a.m.)

SYDNEY, this day.

The Auckland girl flyer, Miss Jean Batten, was the guest of honour yesterday in a round of festivities, chief of which was a luncheon at the Millions' Club. The police had to help her in and out of the club rooms, so dense was the crowd of people who sought a fleeting glance of the little heroine, as most of her admirers are describing her.

The last of a long Iday's receptions was held in the Wentworth Hotel, where Miss Batten was the guest of the New Zealand Women's Association, whose welcome was so earnest and enthusiastic that the aviatrix lasted just long enough to express her thanks. She was then overcome with emotion but soon recovered.

The Premier of New South Wales, Mr. B. S. Stevens, announced that Miss Batten is to be the official guest of the State while she is in Sydney. This honour had been given to very few distinguished visitors in the past.'

Also, Mr. Stevens told the Millions Club gathering that Miss Batten had expressed a wish to sit in the Speaker's gallery while Parliament was in session yesterday. She had done so and had to be torn away from the House. That was further evidence of her remarkable courage and ability.

When the laughter raised by this remark had subsided Mr. Stevens said that Miss Batten had confided in him that she had never enjoyed anything bo much as her visit to Parliament. Honoured by Journalists. A gathering of journalists from all parts of Australia, who are attending the Australian Newspapers Conference in Sydney, me.t Miss Jean Batten in the Hotel Australia in the evening and expressed their admiration of her flight and the fine advertisement she has given New Zealand.

Wearing a jumper and a frock of black crepe de chine with a pin-spot red cravat, the girl flyer looked the picture of contentment and geniality.

Mr. D. McCay, managing editor of "Sun" Newspapers, Ltd., and Mr. A. C. Holtz, chairman of the Australian Newspapers "Conference, were the principal speakers.

Miss Batten, who is an accomplished after dinner speaker, expressed her deep sense of gratitude at meeting such a representative assemblage of journalists, who, after all, were responsible for telling the people of her doings and making it possible to achieve her ambitions. She said she could not help thinking how marvellous it was that three weeks ago she was walking in Fleet Street, London, and to-day was in Sydney.

The guest told of her two previous failures to reach Australia in the breeziest fashion. She had wondered after those failures whether it was worth trying again. The character of her reception on the way out and in Australia had left no doubt in her mind that it was worth while. She would never forget the warmth of public feeling so spontaneously demonstrated in every village and city. .

Miss Batten told a representative of the United Press Association she had no idea when she would be able to return to New Zealand as she had so many invitations from people in. Australia who wished to welcome her. For the next fortnight her movements were uncertain.

INVITATION SENT.

LORD BLEDISLOE'S GUEST.

The Governor-General has sent the following message to Miss Jean Batten: —"Lady Bledisloe and I will be pleased if you will be our guest at Government House on your return to your native land."

GIFT FROM CITY.

AUCKLAND'S APPRECIATION.

"It is apparently the desire of some members of the public to contribute towards the making of a presentation to Miss Jean Batten when she arrives in Auckland, and I have been asked whether this council would open a list for that purpose," said the Mayor, Mr. ft. W. Hutchison, at last night's meeting of the City Council.

"I think there is a desire to recognise Miss Batten's great flight, and I will move that this council accepts donations from those desiring to make a presentation to Miss Batten on her arrival."

The motion was carried. A list was opened at tho Town Hall to-day for subscriptions.