IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 30 May 1919, Page 3

IN THE AIR.

HAWKER AND GRIEVE,

DECORATED BY THE KING

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. LONDON, Mav 28. Hawker and G neve were erffertained at luncheon at the Savoy Hotel. Mrs. Hawker was the only woman present. Major-General Seely, Air Minister, presented the aviators with a cheque for £SOOO from the Daily Mail proprietors, and read greetings from General Trenchard, on behalf of the Air Force. It was noteworthy that King George disregarded red tape and took the earliest opportunity of decorating the aviators.

Hawker, responding to _ the toast, said ho had waited impatiently until the people of Newfoundland believed ho would never leave. The weather on the British side was reported good, and finally the. conditions were such that, apart from tho question of the prize, any man would make the attempt. Grieve explained the difficulties of obtaining bearings of the stars and moon owing to tho clouds. The venr. ture would bo a valuable lesson for the benefit of future air navigators. Mr. Fisher, toasting the chairman, pointed out that it was not The men who failed—it was tho machine. If they had two engines next, time they would succeed.

The King invested Hawker and Grieve with* the Air Force Cross. This is the first personal investiture by his Majesty, who received the airmen at Buckingham Palace. Immense crowds ovationed them in the streets. Subsequently the Queen and the Prince of Wales received them.—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA. LONDON, May 27. 1 Hinkler will make an unaccompanied flight to Australia. He expects. to start in a few days, otherwise the monsoons will cause the postponement for three months. His preparations are completed. He awaits the Aero Club’s appointment of an official starter at the Hounslow- aerodrome, also an examiner at Singapore, where the machine will bo checked. The machine carries 57J gallons of petrol, sufficient for ten hours’ cruising at a speed of ninety miles per hour.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Aasn.