HINKLER HOME

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 28 February 1928, Page 5

HINKLER HOME

JUBILATION AT BUNDABERG AIRMAN’S GREAT RECEPTION. GREETED) BY EXCITED CROWD. BV C*BI.H-PttESS association-copyright BRISBANE, Fob. 27. Hinkler ended his lons* flight from England at 4 o’clock this afternoon. The last hop from Longreach to Bundaberg was made against r. strong head wind. , . Business was practically at a standstill in Bundaberg after dinner, the people gathering on the recreation ground to await the airman’s arrival. Twenty thousand people, watched nun make a perfect landing after- he had circled the town. . The crowd went wild with excitement, cheered themselves hoarse anti broke through the cordon ol police and special guards- placed to keep the landing space clear. They hoisted the fliet shoulder-high and carried him to the official landing stage. One woman snatched a kiss. The Mayor welcomed Hinkler on behalf of the people of Bundaberg. Replying to the congratulations the flier said he was* too overcome to say, much. He was mighty glad to be back again in Bundaberg.

HEARD OVER! WIRELESS

RECEPTION BROADCAST

The arrival of Hinkler at his home town (Bundaberg), Queensland, this evening was broadcast by all the principal Australian broadcast stations throughout the 1 Queensland Government station 4QG, which had a landline from the recreation ground at Bundaberg to Brisbane. Mr F. W. Sellens, of Northland, tuned in the Amalgamated Wireless (Australian) Ltd., Sydney, short wave station 2ME! on 28.5 metres shortly before (3.40 o’clock this eveniing, New Zealand time, and received with loud speaker volume a description of Hinkler’s arrival.

Mr Sellens could hear the shouting and cheering of the huge crowd as Hinkler appeared in the clouds at a height estimated to be* about 3000 feet. At (3.45 o’clock the announcer said that Hinkler circled over the town and the recreation ground and then made a beautiful landing. The announcer said: “The crowd has rushed him, and are now carrying him shoulder-high. The- bands are striking up ‘See the Conquering Hero Gomes!’ When the music ceased loud cries could be heard “Home at last!”

At 6.57 p.m. Hinkler appeared on a platform and was greeted by the official party. The Mayor of Bundaberg, in a mose enthuiastic speech, welcomed and congratulated Australia’s national hero. Colonel Brinsmead next spoke, followed by the Hon. Mr McCormack, Premier of Queensland, who presented Hinkler with a cheque for £SOO on behalf of the Queensland Government. Other speakers were Mr Barker, M.L.A., and the secretary of the Returned Soldiers’ Association.

Hinkler, who was accompanied by his mother and brother, received a*.tumultous reception when he stepped forward to reply. He could be heard saying that he was 'quite overcome by the overwhelming reception, and that he was glad to be home again.

COST OF THE FLIGHT

APPROXIMATELY £55,

Received 11.30 a.m. to-day. BRISBANE, Feb. 28

Hinkler, in' an interview at Bundaberg, said that the flight to Australia cost him £55 approximately. It was difficult to work out the exact- cost, because the price of petrol varied from Is 6d per gallon in Britain to 3s 6d at Basra. He did 25 miles to the gallon, and used 450 gallons. He used very little oil.