AVIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20875, 15 November 1929, Page 9

AVIATION

AUSTRALIAN PIONEERS. MASTER OF SEMPILL’S TRIBUTE. (United Press Association.) tßy Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, November 13. Mr Bert Hinkler lectured on his flight to Australia at Westminster School in aid of King Edward's Hospital Fund. After describing his flight, which incidentally solved many hitherto insoluble aircraft problems, he emphasised the practical value of his own design of undercarriage as demonstrated on the flight. The Master of Sempill (Mr William Porbes-Sempill), who presided, said that speaking.from a long and practical knowledge of aviation in Britain, he was compelled to admit that Australia, in proportion to its population, had led the whole Empire in skilfulness and enterprise in the expansion of air services, meeting the needs even of the most remove communities. This marvellous development was largely due to the impetus given by such pioneers as Sir Ross Smith, Sir Keith Smith, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith, and Mr Hinkler, notably the lash named, whose solo flight to Australia was one of the greatest achievements in the history of the world's aviation.