AT THE PALACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 November 1937, Page 5

AT THE PALACE

! MISS JEAN BATTEN I PRESENTED TO THEIR MAJESTIES AND KING LEOPOLD INTEREST IN FLIGHTS (United Press Assoclaiion-Hy Electrlo Telegraph -Copy ITelill : (Received 19th November, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, 181 b November. ! Spending an hour at the Palace, Miss | Jean Batten had a long talk with. King j Leopold and then with Queen Elizabeth | and King George. She also met PrinI cess Elizabeth. I To the Australian Associated Press j representative Miss Batten said: ”1 was first presented to King Leopold and found him must charming. I was very impressed. He knew so much about my flights and knew even the record times. He showed a wide knowledge of the countries over which I have flown. ITe expressed the wish that I some day would visit Brussels. [ said I hoped to have the opportunity to do so. I was then taken upstairs by a lady-in-wait-ing and presented to Queen Elizabeth, with whom was Princess Elizabeth, and the King came in shortly afterwards. He questioned me closely about my plane and the routes. I was astounded at his technical knowledge of aviation. Their Majesties recalled the wonderful reception they received on their New Zealand visit. It was the first time I have been presented to their Majesties, and consider it a great honour to myself and my country.” King Leopold specially reauested Miss Jean Batten to visit Buckingham Palace in the evening to give a personal account of her record flights. Miss Batten had a long audience with King Leopold, who was most interested in New Zealand and complimented her on her achievements. Before going to the Palace Miss Batten was given a reception by 500 members of the New Zealand Society. Those present included the High Commissioner, Mr W. J. Jordan, and Mrs Jordan. Miss Jean Batten was once refused a job in Sir Alan Cobham’s “Flying Cir- j cus.” Referring to this as the guest of the Hoi bom Chamber of Commerce, Miss Batten said: “I was left with the impression that the pilots thought I ought to go away and get married. In fact one of the pilots gave me that impression so much that I asked him if l this were a proposal. He did not repeat the statement.”

Sir Alan Cobham said: “My pilots were a lot of he-men. I felt that if I took on Miss Batten there would be a riot, so I had to tell her reluctantly thyt the arrangement would not work.”