ROYAL MESSAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 149, 25 May 1934, Page 7

ROYAL MESSAGE

MISS BATTEN CONGRATULATED,

NOW CROSSING AUSTRALIA. WORST PART OF TRIP. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received May 25, 11.15 a.m. SYDNEY, May 25. Captain Bird, who is piloting Miss Jean Batten’s escort ’plane has telegraphed from Newcastle Waters: “It is very bumpy flying and for safety we have decided against attempting to make Brunette Downs after dark. The courageous little lady considers this the worst flying country she has tackled, and is tired.” The congratulations of the King and Queen were sent to Miss Batten, through the Governor-General, who advised Miss Batten that he had received the following message from the King: “Please convey to Miss Batten the congratulations of the Queen and myself on her wonderful flight.”— George, R. 1.”

RECORD OF ENDURANCE

DIFFICULTIES WITH ’PLANE

SYDNEY, May 24. Miss Jean Batten’s log provides an amazing story of "rit and determination. For example, she encountered ffion. soonal storms after leaving Rangoon. Rain fell in sheets and swaped the cockpit. The engine misfired, and she was unable to see the instruments. Half an hour out of Calcutta an oil pipe burst, and sprayed everything with hot oil. The engine grew terribly hot. Miss Batten was unable to make a forced landing, and so carried on. Miss Batten, who left Darwin at 6.55 a.m. in company with an escorting ’plane, intended to stay to-night at Brunette Downs, in the Northern Territory, near the Queensland border, but met strong head winds, and stopped at Newcastle Waters. She had expected to reach Sydney on Sunday, but mar not now do so. The Australian Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons) sent a message of hearty congratulation to Miss Batten on behalf of the Commonwealth Government.

Mr L. J. Schmitt (New Zealand Trade Commissioner) also sent a telegram of congratulation to Miss Batten on behalf of New Zealanders in Australia. Mr W. M. Hughes, M.P., praised Miss Batten’s feat when speaking at an Empire Day demonstration in the city.

TRIBUTES FROM BRITAIN

EXAMPLE OF PERSEVERANCE.

LONDON, May 24

Miss Batten’s lone flight has captured the imagination of the British public and is the subject of many editorials.

The Daily Telegraph says the flight will make one of the most famous pages in the history of flying. Miss Batten will be the supreme and immortal example of the virtue of perseverance. The Daily Mail says that Miss .Batten’s feat is an .inspiring prelude to the tremendous contest for the MaoRobertson Trophy.

The Times says that when the new air liner Diana is taking mails to Australia in a week, at a speed of 145 miles an Lour, the solitary flight bv this accomplished young woman will fall into the category of Channel-swim-ming or motor car reliability trials. The Daily Mail, in a leader, couples the Empire Day celebrations with congratulations to Miss Jean Batten, and urges young men and women to emulate her boldness. The Mail pays' a tribute to her feat as a new impetus to air-mindeclness. The News-Chronicle dubs her as a “Try Again” flyer, and the Evening News employs the slogan “Fly. Fly, Fly Again.”

CENTENARY CONTEST.

ALL-AUSTRALIAN MACHINE

SYDNEY, May 24. Mr W. M. Hughes, M.P., announced at an Empire Day demonstration in the citv to-day that sufficient money, thanks'to an anonymous donor, had been received to enable an all-Austra-lian a.eroplane to be built for the Centenary race.

AMERICA TO ROME,

THE LAST EfOP.

LONDON, Mav 24

Pond and Sabelli, who were forced to land in Ireland when attempting a non-stop flight from America, to Rome, left at 6.30 a.m. for Rome. NEW AIRWAYS LINER. WITH DISTINGUISHED PILOT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 23. The new Imperial Airways liner Diana, the fastest air liner in the world, which is to-morrow making a 1000-mile tour of aerodromes in Britain as part of the Empire Air Day pelebrations, will be piloted by Captain O. P. Jones, who has flown over 1,000,000 miles. . . _ As an air liner pilot Captain J ones has flown across the Channel 4500 times and has carried 85,000 passengers. In all he has spent 10,000 hours or more than one year at the controls of flving machines. His record is very nearly equalled by seven other veteran pilots of Imperial Airways.