BYRD MISTAKEN ?

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 287, 4 December 1929, Page 7

BYRD MISTAKEN ?

FANTASY MOUNTAINS. , Norwegian Explorer And Polar Reports. " SPECULATION IN SENSATION." i (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) COPENHAGEN, December 3. Major Tryggve Gran, explorer and | airman, and a member of Captain > Scott's Expedition, 1910, and also of the party that found Captain Scott's body, says Norway must be' considered in any claim for suzerainty at the South Pole. A Norwegian first planted his national flag there. All the territory, from Sliackleton's southernmost point to the Pole itself, was christened Haakon the Seventh Land by Amundsen. It was, therefore, Norwegian. If a second country had a claim to a portion of Antarctica it should be Britain, in view, of Scott's enterprise. Major Gran says ho docs not doubt that Byrd flew over the Pole, but says it is curious that after 17 years lie observed traces of Amundsen's and Scott's camps, whose huts, being snowbuilt, would crumble away. Byrd's report of polar mountains, seemed to be mistaken. Ranges existed 250 miles from the Pole, possibly further south, between Scott's, and Amundsen's routes, but no further south than 88 degrees. The "Daily Mail* says Major Gran, writing in the newspaper "Extrabladet," asserts that Byrd's whole expedition appeal's to be a speculation in sensations. Major Gran says: "After the way in which the Americans are acting, 'polar explorer' is no longer an honourable name. Only money, not scientific quali-, ties nor year-long preparations, are now required to become an explorer. "The .terrible mountains which Byrd describes are a fantasy. The land is on the whole a plain the trip over which, exccpt for clefts and ravines which must be crossed or got round, might be accomplished on a motor cycle. 'MOST UNFORTUNATE.' " Remarks In Bad Taste," Says U.S. Consul. FORMIDABLE ACHIEVEMENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) G'HRISTCHURCH, this day. "Whatever Major Gran's opinions may bo it is most unfortunate that he gave public expression to them at the present time," said Mr. 11. P. Bridge, United States Consul at Christcliurcli, when asked to comment on the Norwegian explorer's criticism of the Pole flight story attributed to Commander Byrd. "I consider his remarks were in very bad taste. lam not able to express a competent opinion on the accuracy or otherwise of Commander Byrd's story, but there is no gainsaying that his flight over the South Pole adds still further to his already formidable list of achievements."