AERIAL MATTERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 30 May 1919, Page 5

AERIAL MATTERS.

HAWKER AND GRIEVE HONORED

DECORATED WITH AIR FORCE

CROSS

HINKiLER'S' PROPOSED FLIGHT

TO AUSTRALIA

;' i' CA BLE—PRESS . ASSOCIATION -COPYRIGHT

(Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aasn.)

LONDON, May 28

Hawker and Grieve were entertained at luncheon at the Savoy Hotel. -Mrs Hawker was the only woman present. Major-General Seely, Air Minister, presented the aviators with a, cheque for £5000 from the Dally Mail proprietors, and read greetings' from General Trenchard, en behalf cf the Air Force. It was noteworthy that King {Jeorge disregarded red tape and took the earliest opportunity of decorating the aviators. Hawker, responding to the toast, 1 said he had waited 'impatiently until the people of Newfoundland believed he "would never leave. The weather oil the British side was reported good, and finally the conditions were such that, apart from the question of the prize, any man would make >the attempt.; ; ■■'■' :\ ' :■■■■: ■ •.-.■ . ..' ■ C ".':'."/ Grieve, explained the difficulties of obtaining bearings of the stars and moon owing to the clouds-. Th© venture would be a valuable lesson for the benefit of future air havigatore. Mr Fisher, in proposing the toast of the chairman, pointed out that it was not /the* men who failed; it .was the machine. If they had two engines next time they would succeed.

The King - invested Hawker and Grieve with the Air Force Cross. This is-the first personal investiture by his Majesty, who received the airmen at Buckingham Palace. Immense crowds gave an ovation in the streets.. Subsequently the Queen arid <the' Prince cf Wales, received them.

LONiDQN, May 27. Hinkjer will make aiwmaccompanied flight to Australia. sJLe expects to start in a few days, otherwise the monsoons will "cause the postponement for three months." His preparations are completed. He awaits the Aero Club's appointment of an official starter. .at the Houcslow aerodrome, also an * examiner a/t Singapore, inhere the machine >w<ill be checked. The, machine will carry 57 % gallons of petrol, sufficient for ten hours' cruising at' a speed of 90 miles per hour.