HONOURS FOR JEAN BATTEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20890, 20 November 1937, Page 7

HONOURS FOR JEAN BATTEN

AUDIENCE WITH ROYALTY IMPRESSIONS OF KING United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 18. King Leopold of Belgium, specially requested Miss Jean Batten to visit Buckingham Palace, this evening, and give a personal account of her record flight. Miss Batten had a long audience with King Leopold, who is most interested in New Zealand, and complimented her on her achievements.

Before going to the Palace, Miss Batten was given a reception by 500 members of the New Zealand society, those present including the High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan) and Mrs Jordan.

Spending an hour at Buckingham Palace, Miss Batten had a long talk with King Leopold, and then with Queen Elizabeth and King George. She also met Princess Elizabeth.

Received By Royalty To an Australian Associated Press representative Miss Batten said: “I was first presented to King Leopold and found him most charming. I was very impressed that he knew so much about my flights. He knew even the record times and showed a wide knowledge of the countries over which I have flown. He expressed a wish that I should some day visit Brussels. I said I hoped I would have an opportunity to do so. "I was then taken upstairs by a Lady-in-Waiting and presented to Queen Elizabeth, with whom was Princess Elizabeth. The King came in shortly afterwards. He questioned me closely about my aeroplane and the routes followed. I was astounded by his technical knowledge of aviation. "His Majesty recalled ‘the wonderful reception’ he was given on his New Zealand visit. "It was the first time I have been presented to their Majesties, and I consider it a great honour to myself and my country.”

Plans Indefiinite Miss Jean Batten was once refused a job with Sir Alan Cobham’s "Flying Circus.” Referring to this as a guest of the Holborn Chamber of Commerce, she said: "I was left with the impression that the pilots thought I ought to go away and get married. In fact one of the pilots gave me that impression so much that I asked him if this were a proposal. He did not repeat his statement.”

Sir Alan Cobham said in reply: “My pilots were not he-men. I felt that if I took on Miss Batten there would be a riot, so I had to tell her reluctantly, that the arrangement would not work.”