HEROINE OF WINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1934, Page 11

HEROINE OF WINGS

MISS BATTEN IN SYDNEY

INSPIRING RECEPTION

ENTHUSIASTIC CROWDS

NOTABLE SPEECH IN REPLY

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

ffraph—Copyright.

SYDNEY, May 30. Nothing more inspiring has happened here in recent years than Miss Batten's arrival at Sydney at 3 p.m. today in bracing sunny weather. Although greeted in the air by twenty aeroplanes, cheered at Mascot by 5000 enthusiastic people, warmly welcomed and congratulated" by representative people from the Lieu-tenarit-Governor 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 aero< drome. \ The escort aeroplanes, including the, Southern Cross and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's glistening Percival Gull, came into view from, the west at about -.45 p.m., passing over the Harbour Bridge and the city, thence to the Mascot aerodrome. Every rooftop -was more or less crowded with business rrron and wbmen,r office girls and clerks, while sightseers ppc torcy windows. All were thrilled with the graceful overhead spectacle and the stirring achievements of the young New Zealand flyer, whose tiny Moth almost lost its; identity among the group of similar machines. ' HOUSING -WELCOME. Miss Batten -landed after tho majority of the other machines into a slight south-west breeze, and then began a stampede of people in her direction. By 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 a dozen burly policemen went to her assistance. . v ■Sousing cheers greeted her as she stepped into the open clad in a white Hying coat, beneath which were white overalls. Women forced their way in and embraced her, men shook hands ihost cordially, and to each. Miss Batten smiled cheerfully and triumphantly. Her strong and captivating personality instantly appealed to all about her. While Mis 3 Batten was alighting several aeroplanes were droning overhead, making wha;t might be termed "whoopee." Hardly had she removed her goggles when several bouquets were Uirust into her hands. ■ Ilustyi.cheering was going on all round. There was a scene of tho utmost commotion with expressions of admiration heard on all .~ides, fashionably-dressed women rushiiig to acclaim one who was described as "just a wisp of charming femininity." EULOGIES OF EXPLOIT. Speeches eulogising Miss Batten were delivered-by. Mr.. 1\ Tyler, acting president of the New South Wales Aero Club, who declared thait Miss Batten's flight was watched by Australians with very great interest, Major. Shannon, representing the Governor-General and Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. A. Parkhill, Postmaster-General, representing the Commonwealth Government, who said Miss Batten had now qualified to take her place among the immortals of the aviation world, and Colonel Bruxner, representing the State Government. Mr. L. J. Sehmitt, tho New Zealand Government Commissioner, said: "New Zealanders, 45,000 of whom ai-s in Australia, are supremely proud of our Jean, who has achieved such a signal victory. We are delighted to have the opportunity of joining Australians in heartily welcoming this courageous aviatrix. The whole of New Zealand and other parts of the Empire have appreciated to the full and are tremendously enthusiastic over her daring exploit," • Mrs. Prentice, president, of the New Zealand Women's Association, said it was a special "pleasure to welcome one of their own sex, more so on account of her being a New Zealander. She was also very thankfulat Miss Batten's safe ari^al at Sydney after two futile attempts to achieve her goal. MASTERLY RESPONSE. When Miss Batten rose to reply she received an ovation. A voice interjected: "Good old New Zealand," In the clearest voice she said: "I want you all to know how pleased and thrilled I am to-be in Sydney, to realise how near I am. to my native land, and that I've accomplished the flight successfully. I arrived in Australia just before Empire Day. I hope my flight will help to strengthen the great bonds not only between England, 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, which has been well worth doing, if only, to receive this wonderful, enthusiastic, and lousing welcome you have given me today, and for which I am deeply thankful." Miss Batten was afterwards driven round the aerpdrome for the benefit of spectators, and then entertained at afternoon tea at the Aero Club rooms, and later brought to the city. A tremendous crowd blocked traffic in the vicinity of the Hotel Australia, where she is staying. Miss Batten had a broadcast talk with. London soon after her,, arrival. She spoke in the h«ppiest vein, and1 ended by telling the announcer at tho other end that she had no definite plans for the future. She was officially welcomed tonight at the Town Hall by the Premier, Mr. B. S. Stevens, and the Lord Mayor. The speeches were broadcast to New Zealand. TRIBUTE TO MOTHER. In the course of her response to cordial speeches' by the Premier and others at the Town Hall, Miss Batten, who was resplendent in a white lace gown> short white fiir coat, and Bilver shoes, paid a tribute to her little four-year-old aeroplane and her.mother, who "stood by me and cheered me when I was downhearted and spurred me on to succ.ess. Mother denied herself and made sacrifices that I might attain my ambition, and now I believe is pleased with me. I am proud to be the daughter of a woman made of such sterling material." . Tomorrow Miss Batten will be the

guest of the Lieutenant-Governor-Sir Philip Street, and later she will be the guest of the Millions Club and the New Zealand Women's Association.