SAFE ARRIVAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 16 April 1928, Page 5

SAFE ARRIVAL

WELCOMED P.Y VAST CROWD

PARIS. 15th .-\pril. Costes and Lebrix arrived at Le Bour get.

Three squadrons of military aeroplanes wont out to moot the fliers, who wore surrounded hy a vast, crowd immediately they landed. Police barriers were demolished and the airmen seized by their admirers and carried shoulder high to a specially prepared hangar, where Mr Perrier, Minister of the Colonies, welcomed them.;.

Afterwards, escorted by cavalry, they drove to Paris and were taken-to the Ministry of Finance, where the ..Premier. M. Poincare, congratulated-them and chatted with them. ' .■'

Subsequently the fliers appeared on the balcony of the .Louvre building', where they were accorded a tremendous ovation. The airmen looked thin, but cheerful'. They loft Paris on 10th October, and covered 35.225 miles in 333 flying hours,

IMPRESSIONS OF TRIP

(Received 16th April, 10.40 aim.) PARIS, 15th April. Coste. interviewed, said the greatest thrill of the world flight was the crossing of the crater of Ml. Vesuvius. .■ They flew from sunshine info a dark cloud, the fumes burning their eyes and throats. They had to fight their way through, and were thankful to sec the bine sky again. Coste expressed the opinion that although their time from Tokio.to Paris was a record it could easily he beaten. He was confident the distance could be flown under six days. They found a 'long llight less tiring than a short one. and became accustomed to shortage of food and sleep. President Dciinieiguo gave a reception to the aviators, who were afterwards acclaimed by a huge concourse of Parisians.