MISS JEAN BATTEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23332, 26 October 1937, Page 9

MISS JEAN BATTEN

ARRIVAL AT CROYDON THE RECORD EASILY BROKEN WELCOMED BY GREAT CROWD (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph— Copyriglit) LONDON, Oct. 24. Miss Jean Batten arrived at Croydon at 4.35 p.m. She v/as met by Mr W. J Jordan (New Zealand High Commissioner) and her mother. TIRED BUT SMILING GREETED BY HER MOTHER LONDON, Oct. 24 Miss Batten landed at Lympne at 3.45 p.m., beating the record by 14 hours 10 minutes. Planes flew out to meet her, and a great crowd welcomed her at Lympne, cheering as she encircled the landing ground and taxied towards -he control tower. Tired and smiling, but almost immaculate, Miss Batten was lifted from her little silver monoplane The crowd tried to touch her coat and pat her back, as amid cries of; Good old Jean! ” she was carried by Royal Air Force sergeants into the captain’s office. A guard was mounted around her machine The- crowd then surged to the Customs office, where the usual formalities took place. “ Well, major,” said Jean to Major Dupe, the aerodrome officer “ here I am again.” Major Dupe replied. This is vour finest shpw —jolly fine,” Miss Batten’s limbs were so cramped that she had to be carried to the aerodrome buildings. Then, after a brief interval, she took off again for Croydon, to which two airliners and a number of private machines escorted her Miss Batten received, perhaps, the greatest demonstration ever accorded to a record-breaking flyer at Croydon. A roar of cheers greeted the tiny plane when it circled the aerodrome and landed. Then the crowd broke through the police cordon, overwhelming the official welcoming parties, which included Mr Jordan, Mr Drew, and others, besides Jean’s mother.

.As Jean stepped out of her machine an admirer immediately thrust into her arms an enormous bunch of chrysanthemums. Then her mother, who had been pushed into the background, rushed forward and folded Jean in her arms. Jean and her mother and Mr Jordan made speeches. Mrs Batten said she had never been so anxious.

TERRIFIC STORMS MET GLAD FLIGHT WAS OVER LONDON, Oct. 24. In a short speech at Croydon Miss Bdtten said the last part of her flight was terrible. She met terrific storms between Damascus and Athens, and the machine was thrown every way, but the weather near Rome was worse. She thought at one stage that she would lose control of the plane altogether, and .sighed with relief when she found that the Mar-seilles-London section was comparatively tame. She added that she was glad the flight was over, but was annoyed with herself for losing so much time. Mr Jordan declared that he was proud to welcome on behalf of New Zealand Miss Batten, who was perhaps the greatest airwoman in the world. Her feats would remain an undying memory to all New Zealanders. Then followed the most amazing scenes ever seen at Croydon. The crowd went wild, pushing and fighting to get near the plane. It is estimated that 8000 people joined in the rush. The police, realising that strong tactics were essential to save the plane from damage, charged, scattering people like a fan. They then formed an Invincible blue wall around the official party and escorted them safely to the hangar A rumour quickly circulated that Jean would make a secret exit from Croydon Pandemonium then broke loose, hundreds taking part in what might be described as a mad hare and hounds event with Miss Batten as the hare. They were running every way, colliding with one another and shouting directions as to where Jean was departing from. Women were' knocked down and walked on as a kind of frenzy seized the spectators, but they were tricked after all Only people standing six deep in the roadway some distance from the aerodrome saw the official ca* whisk past en route to a London hotel Five hundred people warmly welcomed Jean at Marseilles British friends presented her with flowers LOST CO.UNT OF TIME LONDON, Oct. 25. (Received Oct. 25. at 10 p.m.) The Daily Mail publishes Jean Batten’s own story: “It is wonderful to be here after the worst weather I have ever encounteredI am fearfully tired, especially in the eyes, owing to the continual strain! The bumpiness on the last long hop across Europe almost exhausted me. T lost all count of time. One of the worst sections was Allahabad to Karachi, where I literally was fagged out owing to the heat and strong head winds I ate at Karachi in a semi coma and fell asleep over the last mouthful I was so tired At Damascus I slept only five hours I doubt whether the Tasman Sea at its worst is equal to the terrific Mediterranean storms near Cyprus. Nevertheless I was always confident of success I beat Broadbent by 14 hours, and suppose I must be satisfied.” The donor of chrysanthemums at Croydon was a school friend Miss Anita Webster, of Auckland. The bouquet carried the inscription: “ Congratulations and pride from Cleveland House Old Girls’ Association.” Sir Francis Shelmerdme, in a tribute to Miss Batten’s flight, said: “It is a remarkable achievement to hold the Australian records in both directions.”

JEAN’S FATHER INTERVIEWED (Per United Press Association! AUCKLAND, Oct. 25, “I am naturally pleased at Jean’s success,” said Mr F. H Batten, father of Jean Batten, in a statement to-night “She is my only daughter,” he added “ and I am naturally proud of her I fee) very pleased and relieved that she has reached her destination safely’ Miss Batten’s progress during her flight was closely watched by her

father, who was guided by accounts of her former flight and by maps. He stated he received a communication from his daughter about six weeks rgo, in which she said she had a flight in mind. While there were no members of the family to bid her farewell at Sydney, she would be greeted by Mrs Batten at her destination, as she was in London. The latest record-breaking venture was also followed with interest by Mr Batten’s son, John Batten, well known as a screen actor Batten, jun., arrived in Auckland recently, and this is the first time he has been in the Dominion during one of his sister’s flights. Congratulations were conveyed to Jean by Sii Ernest Davis, Mayor of Auckland, from Russell Sir Ernest is a< oresenl makine a cruise of the coast in the north in his yacht Morewa He sent the following cable message:—“ The citizens of Auckland are proud of your epic achievement. Heartiest congratulations and best wishes.”