JEAN BATTEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 November 1936, Page 4

JEAN BATTEN

SHORT STAY IN GREYMOUTH. Greymouth yesterday afternoon received a short visit’from Miss Jean Batten. Returning from a ten days’ rest at the Franz Josef Glacier, Miss Batten spent a little over an hour and a-half at Greymouth, prior to taking the rail car for Christchurch, from where she will proceed to Dunedin. in continuation of her programme* of personal appearances at the theatres of the Dominion. Although Greymouth had only two hours' notice of Miss Battens ■visit, over 600 people had assembled ■ in front of Revington’s Hotel by 4 p.m., when she was scheduled to arrive. She drew up in a car, and was accorded an enthusiastic reception by the crowd, as she was met by the Mayor (Mr W. Meldrum), Boiougli Councillors, and representatives of the Grey and West Coast United Aero Clubs, Chamber of Commerce, Harbour Board and other local bodies. Coming out on the balcony of the hotel, Miss Batten was presented with a bouquet by Miss I’attie Meldnim, daughter of the Mayor, and was giv en another ovation.

The Mayor said that it was a unique occasion in the history of Greymouth for they had in their midst the most famous flier, he might say, in the world. Miss Batten had performed feats that even the great Smithy would have found hard to equal (applause). They had all been very pleased when she first flew from England to Australia, and with the reception that she had received from the Australian people. They were still proud, and astonished, at her wonderfuj flight across the South Atlantic, and then she capped all with a record trip from England to Australia, and then to New Zealand., “How she did it we cannot conceive,” concluded the Mayor, "but she must have wonderful powers denied ordinary mortals. As New Zealanders we are exceedingly proud of her.” Speaking in a clear voice. Miss batten said: “T do want to thank you for your wonderful welcome. Actually, when I left Waiho this morning, I had not conceived the idea of visiting Greymouth, but as the car drew near Hokitika, 1 said, ‘ls there not some way I can visit Greymouth and still catch the rail-car to Christchurch this evening,’ and so the idea was born. I must say that I think it wonderful of the Mayor to have oi ganised this reception so quickly. He did not know for more than two hours before I was arriving. 1 want to say how pleased and happy I am to be on the West Coast. This is my first visit. When 1 was ordered a rest I said that one place to which I would like to go was the West Coast, as I bad never been there before, and also 1 had heard of the wonderful welcome all aviators get here, and of the warm heartedness of the people, and I tee that my visit has been justified, might also say how happy I was to arrive in New Zealand. I feel a justifiable pride which, I am sure, you all share with me. that I, as a New Zealander, have been able to link England and New Zealand in the fasest time in history and to prove that our Motherland. England, is only ten days away.” the call of the Mayor, cheers were given for Miss Batten, who was then entertained at afternoon tea. Subsequently she spoke over Station aZR. When Miss Batten arrived at the station to catch the rail-car, at 5.42 p.m., the platform was crowded, and she ’ was again enthusiastically received, being besieged for autographs, complying with as many requests for her signature as possible. Miss Batten was again cheered as the rail-car pulled out of the station.