MISS JEAN BATTEN

Southland Times, Issue 23026, 21 October 1936, Page 6

MISS JEAN BATTEN

DEPARTURE FOR HAMILTON TO-DAY. (United Press Association.) Auckland, October 20. Miss Jean Batten leaves for Hamilton to-morrow afternoon and will proceed to Wellington on Thursday. She still continues to receive many letters and telegrams of congratulation. Steps were taken by the Mayor of Auckland, Mr Ernest Davis, to advance the Jean Batten appeal fund, which he has opened. Large numbers of the public attended an exhibition of the aeroplane to-day, part of the proceeds being for charity. . , , ~ Miss Batten was entertained by the Harbour Board and tributes were paid to her great achievements. Suggestions for showing New Zealanders* appreciation of Miss Batten s achievements are being made by newspaper correspondents in Wellington. One writer favours issuing a special commemoration stamp in order to assist the aviatrix. COST OF FLIGHT £2200 AND PERSONAL EXPENSES. (United Press Association.) Auckland, October 20. The cost of Miss Batten’s flight was £2200, the aviatrix informed an interviewer. “And that is apart from personal expenses,” she added. Asked her future plans, she replied that she did not know. She was going to tour New Zealand, but after that her arrangements were indefinite. She said that the Percival Gull machine cost her £l6OO and she had had to finance the whole venture herself. “It is the first time I have had to commercialize a flight and I only did it because I had to,” she said. Lord Wakefield gave her a big lift in meeting the expenses of her big flight and since then she had done a lot of lecturing in England and made a close study of navigation. She regarded the England to New Zealand flight as her best endeavour. “I was determined to win through, and did,” she added. POST IN DOMINION SUGGESTED AVIATION SERVICE. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, October 20. The possibility of New Zealand using the services of Miss Jean Batten in connection with civil aviatio,n in the Dominion was raised in the House of Representatives to-day. In giving notice of a question to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, Mr R. A. Wright (Ind., Wellington Suburbs) asked whether the Government would consider approaching Miss Batten with an offer of a position in the civil aviation service of New Zealand, in recognition of her record-breaking flight from England. It is gathered that no plans have yet been finalized for a Government reception to Miss Batten when she visits Wellington towards the end of the week. The Prime Minister, in an interview to-night, stated that it was desirable that there should be a Government reception, as distinct from the Wellington civic reception, but arrangements would be made definitely after consultation with Miss Batten herself.