JOURNEY IN VAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 267, 10 November 1928, Page 22

JOURNEY IN VAIN.

GEOLOGIST FROM SLOVAKIA. CAN'T GET TO ANTARCTICA. BYKD'S COMPLEMENT FULL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Fired by ambition to prosecute geological research in the frozen fastnesses of the Antarctic, and burning with a desire to become a member of Commander Richard Byrd's expedition, a young man l arrived at Wellington the other day after travelling all the way from Czecho-Slovakia, the young republic of Central Europe. The young man is Dr. Vaclov Vojtech, a graduate of the University of Prague. Ho is a geologist who, when Commander Byrd was selecting the personnel of his expedition some months ago, wrote and asked to be enrolled as a member. Thero were more than 5000 applicants for places in the expedition. Many of them were ineligible, but it was surprising the number of capable scientific men, including mariners, who were willing to go in any capacity. One of these was Votjech, whose application was rejected by Commander Byrd, who naturally concluded that was the end of the matter. Now, two or three days after his arrival at Wellington, Commander Byrd is confronted by the' man in person, who seeks a place in the expedition on any terms and in any capacity. Dr. Votjech insists that he sold most of his possessions to pay his passage, from Czecho-Slovakia to New Zealand, and that he will be a ruined man if he is not taken as a member of the expedition. Unfortunately Commander Byrd has all the men he can possibly do with, and ho is regretfully compelled to tell Dr. Votjech that his long journey has been in vain. In any case he had previously been informed by letter that his proferrcd services could not be accepted.