BERT HINKLER LOSES A “ FIVER.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18419, 22 March 1928, Page 8

BERT HINKLER LOSES A “ FIVER.”

PUNTED AT NEWCASTLE ON WAY TO SYDNEY. DID NOT LIKE LEAVING ’PLANE WITHOUT GUARD (Special to the “ Star.”) SYDNEY, March 11. Hinkler, as a gambler with fortune, is far more fortunate than as a mild gambler on the turf. On his flight from Brisbane to Sydney, which occupied seven hours’ actual flying time, he could not resist the opportunity to have a little “ flutter ” at Newcastle races. ** I saw’ three races there,” he said. “ Someone put me on to a good thing, which did not pme off. 1 ‘ did in ’ a ‘fiver.’ What did I back? I’ve forgotten the name of it, as a matter of fact.”

Hinkler arrived in Newcastle one hour before scheduled time. For this the aviator apologised. “ I took advantage of the favourable winds,” he said, “ and came along smartly." Thousands of people were disappointed, and for their benefit the sporting aviator took the air and landed again, after he had lunch. He was accorded an enthusiastic reception, and presented with a cheque from the Newcastle Jockey Club. “ Here he comes.” Fifty thousand pairs of eyes endeavoured to pierce the distant haze, when somebody on the stand at Broadmeadow shouted those welcome words shortly after 12.20 p.m. Nearer and nearer the smudge in the sky came, until it commenced to take shape. The people became restless, and thousands climbed to vantage points when the ’plane, now easily distinguishable, was miles away. Sections of the gathering commenced to cheer. A flock of birds took wing, and fled in terror before this new king of the air. Presently the roar of the ’plane’s engine could be heard. Louder and louder it sounded, until it almost drowned the frantic yelling from those 50,000 throats. The ’plane circled gracefully high up in the sunlight. The people from early in the forenoon had waited for that hour, and they held their breaths when the daring pilot picked his spot and dived many hundred feet in one swoop.

Down the Straight. As the 'plane dropped gracefully and sped along the racecourse straight for a short distance, the roar of the crowd Avas deafening. Women waAed their handkerchiefs and shrieked a welcome. Men threw their hats in the air. Just visible above the top of the cockpit, a helmeted head could be seen. It looked neither to right nor left until the Avro Avian stopped on the exact spot set down for the Avelcome. The first real glimpse the public had of Hinkler was when an arm shot out from the top of the cockpit and grasped one after another of the many hands extended in welcome. Hinkler was helped down from the ’plane, and the shouting of the people broke out again. The little man turned and waA-ed his hand. This was a signal for more enthusiasm. He Avaved his hand r v. again and attempted to lift his cap to the multitude. It was ail embarrassing part of his equipment, that tight-fitting helmet. Each time Hinkler attempted to raise it, as one would do an ordinary hat, his hand came away empty; but the helmet remained in place. He was at a loss to know what to do Avith that right hand of his Avhen the helmet stayed put, so he decided to AvaA'e it, and the crowd cheered its delight. Hinkler removed that troublesome helmet before he entered a car, to be dri\ r en several times up and down the straight in front of the crowded stands. Each time he passed he was greeted Avith thunderous applause. He waved his acknowledgments, and those in the car with him wa\-ed also. Punters’ Query. “ What will win the last, Bert?” hardened punters shouted, as he passed them. “ There’s no doubt about you. son,” a A-oice yelled. “You’ve got the oil all fight.” This remark created intense amusement, because just at the moment a big lorry pulled alongside and commenced to fill its tanks. When Hinkler disappeared into one of the stands his Avro at once became the centre of attraction. It stood well out on the course proper, and a special cordon of police* surrounded it, keeping curious sightseers and souAenir hunters well out of the Avav. Next to his troublesome helmet, Hinkler's greatest worry was the parking of his ’plane. He appeared afraid to leave it to the mercy of the crowd until assured that a competent guard would be mounted to prescrAC it from harm. Hinkler loves his plane. His quick look OA'er the A-ital parts of it when he alighted, and the frequent glances in its direction during his short stav, proved this.