Race Won By Scott and Black

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 248, 24 October 1934, Page 7

Race Won By Scott and Black

Magnificent Reception on Arrival at Melbourne

Fifty Thousand Patiently Walt in Pouring Rain

Dutchmen Expected in Early Hours of

This Morning

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright Received Tuesday, 10.40 p.m.

MELBOURNE, Oct. 23

Fifty thousand gathered at Flemington to witness the finish bf the Centenary race, despite the ominous clouds of an approaching thunderstorm. Early in the afternoon heavy rain fell, but the crowd continued to increase. Eyes searched the sky to see the winner of the greatest aerial event in history. i Packed trains, trams and motors streamed f om the city, and Air Force machines in mass formation circled the racecourse. As Scott and Black’s Comet swept into view, swooped down and crossed the broad calico line of the finishing mark, the crowd repeatedly cheered. The Comet rose, circled again and then swept away towards the landing ground at Laverton, ten miles away. The stilled, expectant crowd awaited the return of the aviators in a special Moth. A vast crowd also awaited the aviators at Laverton and cheered the Viking-bearded Scott as he stepped from the machine.

After refreshments and a welcome • by many, including Miss Jean Batten, Scott and Black forced their way through the crowd and entered the Moth to return to Flemington for the official greetings. Interviewed, Scott said: “It was a dreadful trip and that’s praising it. Neither of ns had a wink of sleep and had to be on the job all the time. We were feeling done in on the run down, hut are better now that we are here. Wo thank the people for their marvellous welcome on our progress through Australia, and we are jolly glad that we have arrived. “Wo received the scare of our liyes when our port engine stopped and we prepared lifebelts. The last two and a-half hours to Darwin was a nightmare. Had the two engines kept going, the race would have been ours earlier.” On the dais, draped with the Union Jack and the Australian, American and Dutch flags, the airmen were welcomed by the Lord Mayor and Sir Macpherson Robertson. Suffering from the utmost exhaustion, they hurried after their roception to a city hotel, determined to make up lost sleep. Among those welcoming them was Mr A. 0, Edwards, owner of Scott’s Comet. “They appealed to me as great aviators,” said Mr Edwards. “I did not want someone who would brag, but who would do the job, and these hoys have certainly done it.’’ Scott arrived at the finishing line at 3.34 p.m. The whole of Australia sighed with relief when Scott and Black safely completed the ordeal. At no stage was apprehension 30 great as when it was reported they were finishing the race on one engine, but every misgiving was immediately supplanted by unbounded delight when the news of their safe landing was received. Sydney newspaper billboards ■ early in the day acclaimed “Threeday Scott.” This was replaced later in the dayhy “Great Scott!”