AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20283, 16 December 1927, Page 11

AVIATION

COLONEL LINDBERG. GREAT WELCOME IN MEXICO. Press Association -Bj Telegraph—Copyright , MEIXCO CITY, December 14. Colonel Lindbergh arrived at the Valbuena flying field after a non-stop flight from Washington lasting 27 hours 13 minutes. President Calles and the American Ambassador, Mr Morrow, awaited him at the field, as did an enthusiastic crowd of about 20,000. Tbe gathering would have been even larger, but Colonel Lindbergh was considerably overdue, and many people had gone home discouraged and anxious, fearing a mishap. Word of the airman’s 'arrival reached the field just as Mexican aeroplanes were preparing to commence a search for him. His welcome was so enthusiastic that accidents were narrowly averted. The delay was caused by Colonel Lindbergh losing his direction after passing Tampico, resulting in a long detour. A. and N.Z. Cable. INTENSE POPULAR INTEREST. HERALDED AS A HERO. NEW YORK, December 14. (Received Dec. 15, at 10 p.m.) Colonel Linbergh’s flight to Mexico City brought about a recurrence of the same intense popular interest as did nis Paris flight. The newspapers m the United States are devpting a large amount of space to minute descriptions of all tho details, while in Mexico the newspapers are breaking all precedent bv emerging from the conservative treatment of ne-vs and printing large photographs of Lindbergh, heraldinc the flyer as one of the greatest modern heroes. Anxiety regarding the lateness of his arrival was extremely tense, and the relief was great when he landed safely. He explained that he lost his bearings in a fog, probably over Tampico. To-night Colonel Lindbergh is being feted, and already he has been presented with a large numfier of gifts. The newspapers in Mexico suggest that the National University should confer an honorary degree upon him—a tribute paid only to' high dignitaries, such as President Roosevelt, Mr Edison, and Kinc Victor Emanuel.—A. and N.Z. Cable.