GREAT FEAT ACCLAIMED

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18029, 26 May 1930, Page 5

GREAT FEAT ACCLAIMED

ROYAL FELICITATIONS. KING AND QUEEN DELIGHTED. BOOMED BRITISH PRESTIGE. tJnftcd Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright, LONDON, May 24. The news of Miss Amy Johnson’s safe arrival At Darwin was telephoned to Buckingham Palace and King George was instantly informed. His Majesty cabled to Lord Stonehaven, Governor-General of Australia, saying:— “ The Queen and I are thankful and delighted to know of Miss Johnson’s safe arrival at Darwin and heartily congratulate her on her wonderful and courageous achievement.’’ When Miss Johnson’s father was informed that his daughter had landed at Darwin he exclaimed:— “ Thank God for that. If I had a hat I would throw it in the air. We could not sleep last night so we arose at 4 a.m.

“ Directly the telephone bell rang I felt instinctively that Amy was safe. I confess I had been walking round and round the telephone since davvn. I would not spend another night like last night for a fortune or endure a repetition of the last fortnight. Amy will be as delighted are we are that she arrived in Australia on Empire Day.’’

Mrs Johnson tremblingly awaited news and when the telephone bell rang she exclaimed: “Thank God she is safe. That has been my sole thought for the last fortnight. Now I feel supreme joy.

“ Amy is wonderful, but I hope there are no more of her flights to Australia.”

Miss Johnson’s, parents had expressed wonderful relief on hearing that she had reached Timor Island on Thursday evening. Mr Johnson had stated that the girl’s mother was terribly worried and that neither of them couid sleep, though they felt certain she would reach Australia. On behalf of 'the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Master of Sempill, Colonel W. P. Forbes-Sempill, cabled to Miss Johnson saying: “Congratulations. Your splendid and complete triumph over many serious difficulties, mainly provided by nature, has earned not only our sincerest admiration, but has convincingly demonstrated the remarkable qualities of British light aeroplanes and engines.” Sir Alan Cobham says: “Miss Johnson has boomed British prestige throughout the world. The man in the street will say there must he something in this flying business if a girl, single-handed, flies in a small aeroplane half across the world.” Lady Heath said: “It is easily the finest flight’ ever performed by a woman. As president of the Women’s International Aeronautical Association I am more than glad at this splendid aviation feat.”

SKILL, JUDGMENT, COURAGE,

SIR H. WILKINS’ TRIBUTE

United Press Assn.—£’ec. Tel. Copyright. NEW YORK, May 24.

Sir Hubert Wilkins, commenting upon Miss Amy Johnson’s flight from England to Australia, says: “ Her great exhibition of skill, judgment and courage Alls me with admiration. She is one who among others is laying the trail of what shortly will be a regular air route to Australia from England.” Miss Eleanor Smith, holder of the American altitude record for women, says: “ Miss Johnson’s flight is of international value. Her courage in overcoming obstacles was little short of miraculous.”

Miss Ruth Elder, who flew across the Atlantic, says: “ The flight is so marvellous that I wish I co'uld have done it myself. We will invite Miss Johnson, to the American women’s derby.” Mr Clarence Chamberlain, another Atlantic flier, says: “It is one of the most difficult aviation feats ever accomplished by a woman. It leaves me breathless with admiration.”

DARWIN TO SYDNEY. BY EASY STAGES. United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, May 25. Miss Amy Johnson has been advised to rest for two days at Darwin and then to fly in easy stages via Brisbane to Sydney. Probably she will arrive here tomorrow week. The authorities have asked the flight organisers to avoid a week-end arrival owing to the likelihood of traffic control in the streets being made difficult by the huge crowds of people who would be sure to assemble. ITINERARY OF FLIGHT, Miss Amy Johnson accomplished her flight from Croydon to Darwin in 20 days, compared with Mr Bert Hinkler’s time of 15J days. Her actual flying time has not yet been worked out. Mr Hinkler’s was 125 hours. Miss Johnson was delayed two days at Insein. near Rangoon, one day at Sourabaya and one day at Timor Island, so that she actually flew on only 16 of the 20 days. Her record in detail is as follows; — May s—Lert5 —Lert Croydon and arrived Vienna. May '6 —Arrived Constantinople. May 7 —Arrived Aleppo. May B—Arrived8 —Arrived Basdad. May 9 —Arrived Bunder Ahbas. May 10—Arrived Karachi. May 11 —Arrived Allahabad. May 12 —Arrived Calcutta. May 13 —Arrived Insein, near Rangoon. .May 14 and 15—Delayed for repairs. May 16 —Arrived Bangkok. May 17—Arrived Singora. May 18—Arrived Singapore. May 19—Arrived Tjomal, Java. May 20 —Arrived Semarang and Sourabaya, Java. May 21—Delayed for repairs at SourabayaMay 22—Arrived Timor Island. May 23—Remained Timor Isiand. May 24 —Arrived Darwin.