Auckland's Idol

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 247, 19 October 1936, Page 7

Auckland's Idol

Jean Batten Inundated With Letters ARRANGEMENTS FOR DOMINION TOUR Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. Since her arrival in Auckland on Friday evening after her wonderful record flight from England, Miss Jean Batten has been inundated with cablegrams and telegrams of congratulation from all parts of the world and a heavy letter mail from persons in every district in New Zealand. So far the messages total upward of 1000. Though she is very weary and showing signs of strain, those in touch with her are amazed at Miss Batten’s vitality and capacity to attend to questions that arise in dealing with her engagements. She is to leave Auckland on Wednesday for Hamilton. On. Thursday she will leave for Wellington, where it is possible she will spend four days. She will then go on to Christchurch and possibly spend four days there. After that she will visit Dunedin. Sho will not fly on this tour either as pilot or passenger. It is necessary for Miss Batten to conserve her energies and on that account she has had to postpone many public engagements in Auckland until her return, tho date of which is indefinite. To-day she was entertained at luncheon by the Postmaster-General (Hon. F. Jones), when the guests included the Attorney-General, Hon. HG. R. Mason, and Mrs Mason, and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and Mrs Coates. In the evening she was the guest at the dinner party of tho Mayor of Auck land, Mr E. Davis, tho other guests being the executive of the Auckland Aero Club. To-morrow a civic reception will be accorded to her at the Town Hall by the Mayor. Mr F. B. Dwyer, of the Internal Allairs Department, is in Auckland arranging the details connected with Miss Batten’s visit, but it is likely that any official Government reception will be held in Wellington, it being her desire that nothing of that sort should be done in Auckland.

Except when she arrived in Auckland and on her theatre appearances the public has had little opportunity to see her, but whenever she drives to the theatre, which are tho only occasions on which she leaves her hotel, she is greeted in the streets with enthusiasm. There is no doubt Auckland has taken her to its heart.

Miss Batten travelled to Auckland with a very light wardrobe, which did not oven include an evening dress, but a largo spray of orchids had been posted from Sydney to Auckland and awaited her on her arrival. Orchids aro her favourite flower. Dominions Secretary’s Message (British Official Wireless). RUGBY, Oct, 16. The Dominions Secretary, Mr Malcolm MacDonald, has asked the Gover-nor-General of New Zealand to convey a message of personal congratulation to Miss Jean Batten.