DOCTOR FOR BYRD EXPEDITION

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21087, 12 February 1934, Page 10

DOCTOR FOR BYRD EXPEDITION

APPOINTMENT OF NELSON PRACTITIONER I CHOICE CONFIRMED i Late last night confirmation of the choice of Dr. L. H. Potaka, of Nelson, as medical officer for the Byj'd expedition was given to "The Press" by Mr J. H. Duncan, manager for H. L. Tapley and Co., Ltd., agents for the expedition. Mr Duncan said that Dr. Potaka was chosen for his greater experience than many of the younger men who had applied, but doubts had existed whether he would ultimately be appointed, as many others had volunteered since his tentative selection. Mr Duncan further stated that Dr. Potaka would pass through Christchurch to-night on his way to Port Chalmers to join the Discovery 11. The assumption in a Press Association message from Wellington that the Discovery 11. would meet the Jacob Ruppcrt and transfer the doctor was not correct, Mr Duncan added. The Jacob Ruppert had already left when Dr. Guy Shirey was taken ill. The Bear of Oakland would meet the Discovery 71., take the doctor on board, and return to Little America. Later she would bring back Dr. Shirey. The Discovery 11. would not return to Port Chalmers as suggested, but would continue on her voyage to the Falkland Islands. TRANSPORT ARRANOKMKNTS i"'.i.s.< a.-mk-iation : ri.1.1,if.:.;.: I WELLINGTON. February 10. At a late hour last night Mr T. J. Gardiner, Wellington representative of the Byrd Expedition, completed arrangements by telephone with Dr. i L. H. Potaka, of Nelson, to proceed to the Antarctic. The question of transport has been solved through the good offices of Captain A. L. Nelson, commander of the Discovery 11., which is at present at Auckland. Captain Nelson obtained permission from London to divert his ship temporarily from her prearranged cruise. The Discovery 11. leaves Auckland to-morrow for Port Chalmers, where she will pick up Dr. Potaka and some urgent equipment. After transferring Dr. Potaka to the Bear of Oakland she will proceed according to programme to the ice edge, calling en route at Antipodes Island, in the hope of finding some sign of the Wellington yacht Windward, which has been missing since she started on her return trip from the Chatham Islands in January, 1931.