SAFE ARRIVAL OF MR HUGHES.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15075, 19 May 1919, Page 5

SAFE ARRIVAL OF MR HUGHES.

CHANNEL FLIGHT ABANDONED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

(Received. May 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 16. 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 pilots lieutenant Briggs, a South Australian, making a descent to find landmarks. The fog was so dense that they almost collided with a .clump of trees. The pilot skilfully cleared the trees, and decided that the conditions were too treacherous to permit a safe landing. He headed for Amiens, but found that the aerodrome had been shifted and proceeded to Abbeville, descending in ai field close to the Australian General Hospital, where they were entertained.A second attempt' was made to reach the coast, but again the pilot refused to risk crossing the Channel. The aeroplane successfully landed at Maisoncelles, and they stayed' the night at Boulogne. Mr Hughes was still determined to fly the Channel, and motored to a neighbouring aerodrome in the morning, but learned that flight was impossible.