WILKINS' PLANS FOR NORTH POLE EXPLOIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 7

WILKINS' PLANS FOR NORTH POLE EXPLOIT.

WITH SUBMARINE. Would Like New Zealand And Australian Crew. WILL SPEND LAST PENNY. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 12 noon.) LOXDOX, January 4. "I will put my last penny into a second Arctic expedition, which will cost about £35,000. I have £25,000 and I hope to raise the remainder in England," said Sir Hubert Wilkins on his arrival from the United States. "The expedition will start in July, 1937, or in July, 1938. I propose to cross from Spitzbergen (Svalbard) in a submarine under the Xorth Pole to the Behring Sea, a distance of 2200 miles. "I expect the expedition to last about two and a half months. Although the submarine will be constructed to remain under the ice for five days it a time I shall make short dashes of about 12 hours, each covering" 50 miles. "My aim is to determine whether a submarine can be used as a permanent base for Arctic observations, also whether Crocker Island, believed to lie to the north-west of Ellesmere Land, really exists. I shall have a crew of six Xorwegians and Englishmen. My wife wants to go with me." Interviewed by the Australian Associated Press, Sir Hubert said he was uncertain when the expedition would begin owing to the difficulty of getting a submarine. It may not be until 1938. Already about 4000 applications had been received from men wishing to join the crew, many being from Xew Zealanders and Australians. "I would prefer Xew Zealanders and Australians if it were possible, because they are wonderful comrades," said the explorer. "I can't afford to bring any to England but intend seeking qualified Xew Zealanders and Australians here. Otherwise I will use Englishmen and Xorwegians."