MISS JEAN BATTEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 78, 1 April 1936, Page 21

MISS JEAN BATTEN

A VISIT TO MANCE

GIFTS OF APPRECIATION

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, March 7.

Miss Jean Batten has returned from France. She paid her first visit to Paris as the guest of the Aero Club de France. Section Feminine, and the invitation was extended by: two days from the original weekend indicated. This was the first occasion that she had travelled by air in a machine not her o%vn. She was a passenger in an Imperial Airways machine. Her own machine is having a complete overhaul. On previous flights across the Channel she had landed at Le Bourget, but she had never had the time to go to Paris. With the French capital she is enchanted, and she has recollections of hospitality that will remain with her for a lifetime.

On arrival She was received by her hostesses at the aerodrome at Guyancourt. In Paris the entertainments arranged in honour of the New Zealand airwoman included a reception at the Sorbonne at which were present the Minister for Air, other Ministers, and a hundred notable men and women. ,The Aero Club de France arranged a banquet at which she was the guest of honour. At the aerodrome at Guyancourt, near Versailles, she was entertained by M. Louis Renault and M. Rene Caudron. M. Bleriot, who made history by flying across the Channel in 1909, gave a dinner party for her at his private house. The Marquise de Noailles, president of the Women's Section of the Air Club of France, gave a luncheon at her house. The Marquise is very well known in Paris, where she has done much for the French Red Cross. The newspapers "Le Figare" and "Le Jour" were other hosts, the one at a cocktail party, the other at a luncheon. The Aero Club de France presented Miss Batten with a gold plaque, sin by 3in, inscribed on one side with the words: "Presented by the Aero Club de France pour Aerienne Navigation," and.on the reverse: "Le Reve Concoit, la Science Realise, 23 Feb., 1936. L'Aero Club de France to Miss A. Jean Batten to commemorate her trip across the Atlantic." At a luncheon M. Roland Garro presented her with a beautiful little suede purse, with inscription in silver.

M. Bleriotgave her an autographed stamp bearing his photograph and issued in memory of his 1909 Channel flight. There are very few of these stamps in existence, and Miss Batten is very proud to possess one. Some day it will be very valuable. «

The latest award, announced today, is the gold medal of the French Academy of Sports for her record crossing of the South Atlantic .last November.

Miss Batten's achievement in breaking the South Atlantic air record was warmly applauded in Paris. "Le Figaro," at the time, referred to the cool deliberation, unusual courage, the skill, and authority which went to its achievement.

During her stay in Paris Missißatten met General Houdement, of the French Air Force, and Mile, Deutsch de la Meuthe, daughter of the founder of the air race which bears his name. There was time also for. a considerable amount of sightseeing. In waiting 3or the consent of the King before enrolling Miss Batten in the Legion of Honour, M. Flandin is following the usual practice. It is a rule that no British subject can accept a foreign decoration without the King's approval. Her name will be submitted to the King by the High Commissioner for the Dominion. ■ The regulations

concerning the granting/of sues permission are carefully drawn and observed.

At the moment Miss Batten is busy in London. She has numerous invitations, and she is in request1 for social functions. Two nights ago she presented the prizes at the big skating carnival at Queen's Ice Skating Club in aid '■." St. Mary's Hospital. She is the recipient of considerable correspondence, and she is very appreciative, of the intelligence of the London postal authorities who deliver letters vaguely addressed, "Miss Jean Batten, London." These usually find their way to the Aero Club. One letter so addressed came from a little girl aged eight, named Jean Batten, whose home is in Gloucester. There is no family connection, it is merely coincidence.