CIVIC RECEPTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23016, 20 October 1936, Page 10

CIVIC RECEPTION

MISS JEAN BATTEN AN EPIC ACHIEVEMENT AUCKLAND PAYS HOMAGE SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 19 Scenes of intense enthusiasm were witnessed this afternoon when the citizens of Auckland paid homage at the civic reception to Jean Batten. c The building was taxed to its fullest capacity, thousands standing outside. The famous aviatrix was accorded a royal reception. As she was escorted up the aisle of the Town Hall the great audience rose and cheered wildly and when Miss Batten, from the platform, turned to bow and smile, the audience again vociferously cheered, which was repeated again when a beautiful bouquet was presented to her On the stage there was a large array of officials. The Mayor, Mr E. Davis, announced that Jean Batten’s name was to be perpetu- , ated by the naming of a new city street connecting Shortland and Quay streets after her. The .announcement was loudly cheered. The speech by the Prime Minister (Mr M J. Savage) in commendation of Miss Batten’s great feat was relayed by telephone from WellingOther speakers were the Attorneygeneral, Mr H. G. R. Mason, on behalf of the Government), Miss Melville for the women of Auckland, Mr Boyle, "the American Consul for the consular corps, Squadron-leader Isitt for the Air Force, Rear-admiral the Hon. E. . R. Drummond, for the Navy, and Mr F. H. Batten, the father, 'who said that although Jean was doubtless a famous aviatrix, she was still his little girl. GLORY OF ACHIEVEMENT The Mayor said that unquestionably Miss Batten was the most ■i popular woman in the world to-day and her name and her record performances would enrich the annals ‘, of aviation. From the depths of their hearts those present welcomed her to her home town. Miss Batten had ' covered herself with the glory of achievement and had brought enduring fame to Auckland. Their pride in her knew no bounds. Her successes spoke eloquently for themselves, but he (the Mayor) had endeavoured in a short testimonial to interpret to her the views of her fellow-citizens on her remarkable attainments. The testimonial, which was as follows, was then read by the ' town clerk; — A TESTIMONIAL To Miss Jean Batten, Cf.B.E.,— Greetings and congratulations from the Corporation and citizens of Auckland. To such a degree as words can express our pride m your epic achievement and indicate hur appreciation of the sterling qualities which added this historic triumph to your amazing record, we salute you as the first being in the history of mankind to f Jiy solo from England direct to New Zealand. By your accomplishment you have so thoroughly burnished the lustre of your previf. ous performances, dazzling though they were, that it should retain its brilliance through all the dimming ravages of time as we now measure it. INDOMITABLE COURAGE

“ The most appropriate manner In i which we could perpetuate the name of Miss Jean Batten has been a mat*ter of deep thought,” said Mr Davis. “It is in the spirit of deep rejoicing and great thankfulness that we offer you the homage of this testimonial in recognition of your indomitable courage, your will to succeed- against almost insuperable odds, your mtstanding ability as a pilot and navigator, and your deeply implanted gifts of enterprise and perseverance, hi forging a flawless aerial link between the Mother Country and thisl Greater Britain of you have rendered to the Empire a service which, in character, upholds the highest traditions of pioneering endeavouf You annihilated distance at a rate 10 times faster than that at which the sailing ships of the early settlers travelled, and in doing so you displayed to a marked extent the same sturdy 9 dualities of self-reliance, determination and pluck. Deservedly your magnificent effort elevates you to the select ranks of the world’s foremost pilots, ■ “ Miss Batten, in tendering to you our warmest congratulations and heartiest good wishes we are inspired by the knowledge that you are an Aucklander, and A woman. By your remarkable achievement you have brought great credit to your city end to your country and everlasting honour to your sex. We wish you now as always long life and good health, and that full ‘"'measure of happiness which you so richly deserve.” Mr Davis said they had decided to name the new connecting street on the old post office site between Shortland' ;treet and Fort street “ Jean Batten place.” It was an important link in the city and thousands passed it daily A suitable tablet recording Miss Batten’s performances would be erected so that the memory of that day would be keut evergreen. The Mayor added: “The better the day the better the deed,” and he thereupon initiated the gathering into some of the mysteries of an Auckland City Council gathering The Mayor then pr‘ the motion to the members of the City Council present, and amidst laughter and applause the motion was declared carried unanimously. Amid further applause Miss Batten was then handed the locality plan

OVERSEAS NATIONS’ TRIBUTE “ The representatives in Auckland of overseas nations are grateful to echo, as it were, the applause of tne countries they represent,” said Mr Walter F. Boyle, dean of the consular corps. “We echo the applause of the whole wide world in honour of the little white dove who has equalled the flight of the eagle and the storm-scorning stamina of the albatross, who has braved the seas and the emptiness of space and is now with us.” A MAGNIFICENT TRIUMPH

The Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) spoke over the telephone from Wellington, his remarks being amplified to the audience. Mr Savage said he was very pleased to join with the Mayor and citizens ot

Auckland in doing honour to Jean Batten. It was a magnificent achievement and triumph, one of the greatest records in the history of our aviation, and a tribute to Miss Batten’s skill and endurance. Miss Batten had proved beyond doubt that the assumption that men are always superior was not always right. She had performed a vironderfully outstanding feat and New Zealand was proud to know that one of the most famous pioneers of aviation was its own Miss Batten. She was one of the pioneers who had braved the elements. He hoped Miss Batten would be blessed with good health and would have continued success in her life. “ Kia Ora,” said the Prime Minister in conclusion. “ I'have only to reiterate on behalf of .the Government the words which you have heard from Wellington from the Prime Minister himself,” said the Minister of Justice, Mr H. G. R. Mason. “ Miss Batten’s recent exploit was one which would not easily be equalled by another.” MISS BATTEN’S REPLY The Mayor said he would now call on Auckland’s own little heroine. When Miss Batten rose the big gathering cheered excitedly, and then broke into the singing of “ For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” With the sang-froid that is characteristic of her Miss Batten began to speak. She said that first of all she wanted to thank the people of Auckland for their wonderful tributes, and she hoped that she deserved them. She also wanted to thank them for the wonderful reception they had given her on her arrival. She was proud as a New Zealander and as an Aucklander that she had been able to link England and New Zealand, the furthermost part of the British Empire, in a direct flight, and also that she had demonstrated that it was possible to have a direct air mail service between England and the Dominion in 10 days. She had actually flown the journey in less time than the air mail took to Australia alone. Describing her flight across the Tasman, Miss Batten said that she did not have good weather for the last 300 miles, and near the New Zealand coast the visibility was about one mile. She was one mile off land when she saw it, and they could imagine her delight when she saw Sugaij Loaf Rock and a few minutes later flew over New Plymouth. Even with a wireless and direction-finding apparatus she could not have made her landfall more accurate. It was a great temptation to land at New Plymouth, where there were hundreds of people waiting in the rain, but she then steered a course for Auckland and reached Mangere an hour later, when 10J hours out from Aus- ■ Miss Batten expressed to the Mayor her deep appreciation of the decision to name a place in Auckland after her, and said it was difficult to express her true feelings. She hoped, however, that Jean Batten place would be an inspiration to the people and remind them that a new era had been reached and that the people should be more airminded than they were at present. “ Thank you,” said Miss Batten in conclusion, and the big gathering again rose and cheered. “ I feel that I can convey 1 to Mr Batten your congratulations on the honour which his daughter has brought him,” remarked Mr Davis when the applause had subsided. “Mr Batten is a shy and modest gentleman, but I am going to ask him to speak a few words.” “JUST MY LITTLE GIRL.” “ ‘ From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh,’ ” quoted Mr Batten, “ and my heart is very full of gratitude to Providence for, the safe arrival of ,my daughter from England.” It had been an anxious time for him, he said, but he had full confidence in Jean’s ability When he had seen the plane in the distance it had been a wonderful moment for him. “Although I am very proud of Jean, and although she is a very famous pilot, to me she is still just my little girl,” added Mr Batten amid renewed cheering. CHEERING THOUSANDS

Thousands gathered outside the Town Hall to catch a glimpse of Miss Batten as she emerged from the reception. In response to the acclamation of the crowd she was hoisted aloft by willing hands and waved a greeting to the crowd. Fortified by a posse of police she was escorted to her car, but so great was the pressure of the throng that the escort had to force a passage. Facing up Queen street was a s6a of faces, while every vantage point and window had its complement of admirers of the girl who had winged her way across the world in record time. So dense was the surging crowd that the police were compelled to take a longer route and travelled along Myers street and thus back to her hotel. The scenes were reminiscent of those enacted in Melbourne in 1934 when Scott and Black and other participants in the England-Melbourne air race were paraded in triumph through the streets. On the way back Miss Batten visited Jean Batten place and she expressed gratification at the Auckland honour that had been bestowed upon her. VISIT TO AERODROME PREPARING PLANE FOR , EXHIBITION MISS BATTEN’S MANY DISTINCTIONS (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Oct. 19. Miss Batten spent some time at Mangere to-day arranging for the removal of the wings of her plane preparatory to the transfer of the machine to the place where it is to be exhibited. With blue prints in her hand, she gave clear and concise instructions on the method of dismantling and things to be avoided, and then she pored over the engine in a manner to suggest a sentimental affection for the thing that had done its part in winning her fame Auckland, which has named a street after Jean Batten, is not first in the field to commemorate her name. Uruguay has named a big military airport after her to commemorate her sensational South American flight. Uruguay also honoured h’er by giving her an honorary commission in its Air Force, a procedure also adopted by Brazil and Argentina. But though Miss Batten esteems the honour of commissions in three South American Air Forces, she was most flattered by a special designation conferred by the Argentine authorities. It is Clave! del Aire—Flower of the With their mother, three pooriy dressed children stood to-night outside the Grand Hotel waiting for a glimpse of the famous airwoman. They were very tired, for they had been there for'two or three hours, and the youngest, a boy of three or four, huddled under the coat of his mother. The Mayor of Auckland (Mr E. Davis) noticed them on leav-

ing after dinner and he promptly invited them in to supper and informed Miss Batten of their presence. She was just leaving for an engagement at a theatre, but she forgot all about her audience for a few minutes while she chatted with them out on the pavement. DUNEDIN’S CONGRATULATIONS MISS BATTEN’S APPRECIATION The Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) has received the following telegram from Miss Jean Batten: — “ To the citizens of Dunedin I extend my best thanks for their kind message of congratulations, which I deeply appreciate.” CONGRATULATIONS FROM BALCLUTHA On Friday gfternoon the Mayor of Balclutha (Mr D. T. Fleming) telegraphed to Miss Batten as follows. “ Heartiest congratulations on your wonderful flight.—D. T. Fleming. Mayor." A telegram of acknowledgment was received from Miss Batten in the following terms;—“For your warm message of congratulation, which reached me on my arrival in Auckland, I am deeply grateful.— Jean Batten.”