TUMULTUOUS WELCOME

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 280, 22 October 1930, Page 7

TUMULTUOUS WELCOME

KINGSFORD 9MITH THE IDOL.

BRISBANE WELCOMES HERO. STREETS DENSELY LINED.

(United Press Association.—By Eleetrio Telegraph.—Copyright.) BRISBANE, October 21. Kingsford Smith landed at Eagle Farm Aerodrome at Brisbane at 4.3 o’clock this afternoon. He had a tumultuous welcome and a triumphal procession through the streets, which were densely, lined with cheering people. The famous airman will be the guest of the Governor, Sir John Goodwin, to-night. He is due to arrive at Sydney to-mor-row about 3.30 p.m.

LORD BLEDISLOE’S CONORATULATONS.

Kingsford Smith has received a warm message of congratulation from the Governor-General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe.

CAPTAIN MATTHEWS AT CLONCURRY. ,

Received October 22, 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 22. Captain Matthews has arrived at Cloncurry. He is expected at Brisbane on Thursday.

SUGGESTED HONOUR. MELBOURNE, Oct. 22. Mr J. E. Fenton, acting-Prime Minister, discussing the question of an honour for Kingsford Smith, said that although the Labour Party, was opposed to the granting of a knighthood, it would be possible for the Imperial Government to advise the King to confer that honour on the aviator.

“BEST FLIGHT EVER.”

ALL-BRITISH MACHINES.

(British Official Wireless.) Received October 22, 10.5 a.m. RUGBY, Oct. 21. Congratulations are being showered by the Press upon Wing-Commander Kingsford Smith, whose wonderful flight has brought Australia within 10 days of England. Kingsford Smith, who is the world’s most experienced airman, declares that this was the best flight he ever made. In his Australia to England flight of thirteen days he piloted a three-engined aeroplane, but on this occasion, oil which he lowered the record by about five days, he flew in a comparativelyspeaking small Avro Avian with a single Gipsy engine. His average speed was 110 miles an hour. While Kingsford Smith has achieved the supreme distinction, Flight-Lieu-tenant Hill’s notable performance in reaching Timor Island well in advance of Squadron-Leader Hinkler’s time is also warmly praised. Lieutenant Hill flew in a Gipsy Moth, which is the fastest machine of its kind on the market, and intense disappointment is expressed at his failure when withiu 50P miles of his goal. Kingsford Smith,.who met Lieutenant Hill on Timor Island, says that the wing of the machine touched a fence while the pilot was attempting to rise, and the ’plane turned over, breaking the propeller and crushing the fuselage. Kingsford Smith offered to return to Singapore to bring engineers to repair the ’plane, but Lieutenant Hill declined. . Kingsford Smith, Hinkler and Hill are all Australians, and each of them flew a machine which was British all through.

. RADIO TALK. TRIBUTE t6~LIEUT. HILL. In a radio talk from Brisbane last evening, Wing-Commander Kingsford Smith said that as far as he was concerned long distance flying was at an end.

As far as the actual flight went, there was not much description. The most trying stage was that of 1250 miles from Rangoon to Singapore. A ground fog came Up and he could see nothing of the ground, except a mixture of land and water. The fog lifted and he managed to get down with about an hour’s petrol left. Kingsford Smith made reference to Lieutenant Hill, who crashed £ft Atamboea. Lieutenant Hill had battled through day and night, with little sleep, and was unlucky after wearing himself out in such a noteworthy venture.

“He is one of the best sprts I have met in my life and I hnour him,” added Kingsford Smith.