A PERFECT LANDING

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10774, 28 February 1928, Page 5

A PERFECT LANDING

HINKLER S GREAT WELCOME AVOMAN SNATCHES A KISS. Electric Telegraph—Frees Association HINKLER, February 27. Bert Hinkler ended his long flight at four this afternoon. Thg last hop from Longreach to Bundaberg was made against a strong head wind. Business was practically at a standstill in Bundaberg after dinner, people gathering on the recreation ground to await the airman’s arrival. Twenty thousand watched him make a perfect landing after he had circled the town. The crowd was wild with excitement and cheered themselves hoarse. They broke through the cordon of police and special guards placed to keep the

landing space clear, hoisted the flier shoulder high and carried him to the official landing stage. One woman snatched a kiss. The Mayor welcomed Air Hinkler on belinll of the people of Bundaberg. Replying to the congratulations, the flier, in a short speech, said he was too overcome to say much, but he was mighty glad to be back again in Bundaberg. His mother and sisters watched his arrival. A WONDERFUL RECEPTION. WELLING'rON~. Last Niglit. The arrival of Bert Hinkler at his home town Bundaberg, Queensland, this evening was broadcast by all the principal Australian broadcast stations through the Queensland Government station 40G which had a landline from the recreation ground Bundaberg to Brisbane. Air F. AY. Sellens, of Northland, tuned in the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd., Sydney, short-wave state 2AIE 28.5 metres’ shortly before 6.40 o’clock this evening. New Zealand time, and received with loud-speak-er volume r. description of Hinkler's arrival at Bundaberg spoken from the .Bundaberg recreation .ground. At 6.40 o’clock. New Zealand time, Air Sellens could hear the shouting and cheering of the huge crowd as Hinkler appeared in the clouds at a tremendous height, estimated to be about 3000 ft. At 6.45 o’clock the announcer said that Hinkler was circling over the town and recreation ground and then made a beautiful landing. Tlie announcer remarked; “The crowd have rushed him and are new carrying him shoulder high and the hands are striking up ‘See the Conquering Hero Comes.’ ” AY hen the music ceased loud cries could be heard “home at last.” At 6.57. New Zealand time, Hinkler appeared on a platform and was greeted by the official party. The Alayor of Bundaberg in a most enthusiastic speech, welcomed and congratulated Australia’s national hero. Colonel Liir.s----11 icad next spoke, followed by the Honourable “Air AUCormack. Premier of Queensland, who presented Kinkier with a cheque for £SOO on behalf of the Queensland Government. Other speakers- were Air Barker, ALL.A., and the secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association. Hinkler, who was accompanied by his mother and brother, received a tumultuous reception when he stepped forward to reply. He could he beard saying that he was quite overcome by the overwhelming reception and that he was glad to be home again. AEROPLANE FOR AUSTRALIA. (Receive:! 19 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Air S. Bruce, Prime Minister of ■Australia. has cabled Sii; Charles Wakefield, accepting, on behalf of the Governmnent and people of Australia, his offer of an Avro-Avian plane, adding: “Nothing could more fitly mark the great achievement of Hinkler. I feel sure that your gift will be an inspiration to the development of aviation in Australia.”