DEVIOUS JOURNEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 180, 31 July 1940, Page 6

DEVIOUS JOURNEY.

SIR HUBERT WILKINS.

LEAVES PARIS OX CYCLF.

(By H. J. J. SARGENT.)

LONDON, June 17.

Sir Hubert Wilkins, the noted Polar explorer, has just arrived here from New York after a sensational round-nbout journey. Sir Hubert, representing a group_ of Detroit automotive producer®, left Sew York on June 1, in the clipper with >.he idea of co-ordinating American and British aircraft production. The aeroplane arrived in Lisbon the following day -ind Sir Hubert proceeded to Paris. He expected to fly to London, but found it impossible to secure a passage, since hundreds were on the waiting list.

Even those with priority as officials were delayed until June 10, when it was announced that all air traffic between Paris and London had been suspended.

It was impossible to get motor transportation from Paris. After trying *11 day on Tuesday, June 11. Sir' Hubert decided to walk southwards, expecting to pick up transportation. Fifteen miles out of Paris he purchased the only bicycle available and cycled to Tours, the first halting place of the Erpnch Government in its flight to Bordeaux. At Tours, Sir Hubert joined a troop train to Nantes, where he boarded a Royal Air Force aeroplane for London, arriving on Saturday night. Leaving Paris. Sir Hubert joined the surging thousands of refugees whose numbers made movement, even on a bicycle, almost impossible. The 'oi ry.'le however, was the quickest mode of transportation. This was proved by tl.t fact that he had arrived at Tours" aheid of high-powered motor cars which left Paris hours before him.—N.A.N.A.