YOUNGEST FLIER IN AIR RACE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19945, 1 November 1934, Page 9

YOUNGEST FLIER IN AIR RACE

MELROSE COMPLETES LONE JOURNEY

MELBOURNE HONOURS AVIATORS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 31, 10.15 p.m.) MELBOURNE, October 31. The Australian J. C. Melrose, flying a Puss Moth, the youngest competitor and the only one flying alone, arrived in Melbourne this morning. His mother was the first to greet him, and he was then carried shoulder high over to the aerodrome by mechanics. SquadronLeader McGregor was among the welcomers. Melrose left Charleville at 1.20 this morning for Melbourne, via Narromine. He did not stop at Narromine, flying on to Cootamundra, where he landed for 20 minutes. He continued his flight to Melbourne at 6.50 a.m.

AUSTRALIA HONOURS AIRMEN

PROCESSION OF HOMAGE IN MELBOURNE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 31, 10.15 p.m.) MELBOURNE, October 31. Huge crowds surged about the streets to-day, when all the visiting airmen received the homage of the public of Melbourne. They were driven in triumphal procession through the city. Leaving Menzies Hotel, the procession took 45 minutes to reach Parliament House, so great was the press of the crowd. The police were helpless to control the surging enthusiasts. Women struggled with the policemen in trying to shake hands with the fliers. People clung to the cars and some women actually attempted to kiss Melrose. Flowers were thrown in to the cars. The scene was one of the most extraordinary demonstrations ever witnessed here. Official Recognition After the procession, the fliers were the guests of the State Parliament at luncheon. The Premier (Sir Stanley Argyle) said: “You have annihilated time and distance and have defeated the powers of Nature in a way never dreamed of till now.” With brief replies, characteristic of men of action, not of words, the fliers each thanked the people of Australia for their reception everywhere. Squadron-Leader McGregor’s reply was the briefest of all. PROGRESS OF OTHEJI FLIERS r/ DANISH TEAM MEET MISHAPS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 31, 8.25 p.m.) MELBOURNE, October 30. . Lieutenant Hansen and Jensen left Cloncurry at 5.45 this morning for Charleville, where they arrived at noon and left 45 minutes later for Melbourne. They expect to reach Melbourne to-night. They tell a thrilling story of how they ran out of petrol over the hills near Cloncurry. Lieutenant Hansen said: “We were about 40 miles from Cloncurry when the petrol became exhausted and the engine stopped. As luck happened we spotted a little clear ground near the railway line, which happened to be an emergency aerodrome, and we got there just in time. We managed to get fuel and took off at sundown, but we found the aerodrome at Cloncurry in darkness, as they were apparently not expecting us there. However, we landed safely.”

New Zealanders Held-up.

Squadron-Leader J. D. Hewett and Flying-Officer C. E. Kay are still at Cloncurry arranging for repairs.