MR HUGHES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1641, 19 May 1919, Page 9

MR HUGHES.

EXCITING EXPERIENCES. By Calle — Press Association — Copyright. (A. & N.Z.) LONDON, May 18. Mr Hughes has arrived in London. He crossed the Channel in a steamer, and is none the worse for yesterday's exciting incidents. Mr Hughes told a reporter that a thick fog developed when they reached the coast, necessitating the pilot, Lieut. Briggs, a South Australian, descending to find landmarks. The fog was so dense that they almost collided with a clump of trees. The pilot skilfully cleared the trees, but decided that the conditions were too treacherous to permit of a safe landing, and headed for Amiens. He found that the aerodrome had been shifted, and proceeded to Abbeville, descending in a field close to the Australian General Hospital, from where they made a second attempt to reach the coast again. The pilot refused the risk of crossing the Channel. The airplane successfully landed at Maisoncelles, and thev stayed the night at Boulogne. Still determined to fly the Channel, he motored to a neighbouring aerodrome in the morning, but 3earncd that the flight was impossible. Mr Hughes remains in London until Wednesday, unless urgently called to Paris in connection with the Reparation Commission. Meanwhile, no further Australian representations will be made at the Peace Conference. It is understood that nn exact settlement regarding Nauru Island has not yet been arranged.