NORTH STAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 305, 27 December 1939, Page 9

NORTH STAR.

AT WELLINGTON.

U.S. POLAR EXPEDITION.

QUEST FOR LAND AND COAL.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day

Loaded to capacity with equipment of every sort, including a snowcruiser and Army tanks converted for use as snow and ice tractors, the North Star called at Wellington en route to the Bay of Whales, where she will meet her companion ship, Bear, with the rest of the expedition.

On the ship is Rear-Admiral R. E Byrd, commander of the expedition.

The expedition is sent by the United States Government, which made available the two ehips and gear.

The North Star had 74 huskies aboard on deck when she set out from America, but twelve puppies have since made their appearance. It is not certain when the vessel will leave.

Admiral Byrd and his two ehipe left Boston in the middle of November and were reported later at Balboa and Pitcairn Island. The expedition plans were hurried up in the United States prior to September on account of information that Germany was planning a similar expedition with the object of claiming a quarter of a million square miles in Antarctica,

"I am going to see what is on the other side of the Pole," said Byrd when asked about Ji'u> plan?. "I expect to take possession of a million equare milee. Wlfat is more significant for America, I know there are minerals there and a supply of coal to take care of the world'e needs for eome time. I looked into this area on my last trip."