TERRIFIC WELCOME

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 18 November 1937, Page 10

TERRIFIC WELCOME

FLYING-OFFICER CLOUSTON AT

CAPETOWN GREETED BY 20,000 PEOPLE 11)1010(1 I’cohr Association— Hy Electric I clcm ii |ih -Copy I'iKlH I CAPETOWN, lOth November. For the first time in the history of aviation Capetown lias been brought within less than two days from London by Flying-Officer Clouslon and Mrs Belly Kirby-Green Hying from Croydon to Capetown in 45 hours 4 minutes. Over a distance of 7050 miles they maintained an average speed of 150.6 miles an hour, a truly marvellous performance when varying temperatures are taken into account, the auators, however, were aided by perfect weather. A terrific welcome awaited them at (he Wingfield airport at Capetown, where 20.000 people thronged round (he machine and caused the greatest danger to it. Flying-Officer Clouston said the machine behaved beautifully. The llicrs did not arrive at Broken Hill till 5 pan. because they were delayed at Khartoum, where they discovered they did not have a permit to cross the Sahara. They were forced to chase round Khartoum for four hours to locate the authorities able to issue the permits. The llicrs will leave Capetown on the return on Thursday. The Secretary of State for Air, Lord Svvir.ton, telegraphed: "Best congratulations on your fine performance.” Miss Jean Batten's message was: "It is almost unbelievable time. I hope your luck holds out on the return.” CAPETOWN, 17th November. Flying-Officer Clouston and Mrs Kirby-Green were enthusiastically cheered when they auctioned poppies on 16th November from the steps ol the City Hall.