POLAR ACTIVITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 7

POLAR ACTIVITY.

WILKINS GETS BUSY. Aeroplane Flight At Deception Island. SUCCESSFUL TRY OUT. (United P,A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) *• LONDON, November 27. A copyright message from Sir Hubert "\Vilkins at Deception Island says:—ln the aeroplane San Francisco yesterday our Canadian pilot, Mr. A. Cheeseman, circled round the heart of the island and the volcanic crater.

The take-off was possible only because the aeroplane is fitted with special, largeBized tyres. Crusted snow and volcanic cinders saturated with moisture lined the runway. Ordinary wheels would sunk into this mixture beyond the possibility of movement. The pilot circled round the island for five minutes. Then we heard the engine of his machine die aiid we had visions of disaster. But, with the instinct of the trained pilot, Cheeseman turned on the taps of the three fuel tanks and once more the aeroplane took up a steady roar. It turned out that the pilot had originally started with only one tap turned on. After 15 minutes he glided to a splendid landing. Our other piiot, Mr. Parker Cramer, afterwards took the controls. He climbed to an altitude of 3000 ft. There he demonstrated the fitness of the aeroplane and his own skill and, finally, landed on the narrowest part of the runway.

The sky was clouded, but far to the south clear sunlight shone. Graham Island stood out with crystalline brilliance. We hope soon to begin our first lengthy exploration flight.

UNCERTAIN WEATHER. Shifty Winds With Dense Fog At Little America. SLEDGE PARTY PROGRESS. (Received 0.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 27. [Bv Mr. Russell Owen. Copyrighted 1028 by the " New York Times " Company and the " St. Louis Post Dispatch." All rights for publication reserved throughout the world. Wireless to the " New York Times.' 1 BAY OF WHALES," November 26. Larrie Gould's geological sledging party is making better time on the last part of the trip to the Queen Maud Mountains. They have lighter loads and the sight of the mountains ahead to encourage them. Last night they camped at depot six s which is at 83 degrees 25 minutes south latitude. Gould reported that they had no sun for the last 75 miles of the journey, but with the wind behind them and the smoother surface, they made eighteen miles that day. ' "In Little America wc arc having very uncertain weather conditions. The sky ia still overcast and the wind is shifting all round the compass. There has been a fog and mist making such peculiar atmospheric conditions that the men building the beacon for surveying purposes were unable to see the outlines of the snowblocks they held in their hand."