REAR-ADMIRAL BYRD

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21423, 15 March 1935, Page 6

REAR-ADMIRAL BYRD

DEPARTURE TO-DAY FOR BALBOA NEW ZEALANDERS THANKED FOR HOSPITALITY [THE PEESS Spocial Service] WELLINGTON. March 14. Roar-Admiral R. E. Byrd. who was detained at Dunedin until the departure of the ships of the expedition on Wednesday, arrived at Wellington this morning. Accompanied by Mrs Byrd, he will leave to-morrow on the Rangitiki for Balboa, where he will wait for the Jacob Ruppert and Bear of Oakland, from Dunedin. At Balboa Admiral Byrd will join the Jacob Ruppert for the return of the expedition to the United States. Admiral Byrd is making good recovery from the sickness which he contracted at the advanced base in the Antarctic, but, under medical orders, he has . been compelled to forgo all public functions since his return to New Zealand. In an interview to-night, Admiral Byrd mentioned his regret at leaving the Dominion, and the debt of gratitude that he and his men owed to the people of New Zealand. "On the eve of my departure from New Zealand," said Admiral Byrd, "I wish to express my great appreciation to the New Zealand Government for the facilities which it has extended to us—such as the Post and Telegraph Department and the railways—and for its many courtesies "My own people will also appreciate what has been done for our expedition when I return to the United States and report to them, and the fact that the New Zealand Governmen has shown this friendship towards American citizens bent on a scientific mission will, I believe, make for an even better understanding between New Zealand and tiie United States.

"It is certainly most gratifying to us to find that the New Zealand Government has recognised our efforts for science. Science, it seems to me, knows no national boundaries, and of course the success of such a venture as ours is dependent on outside help, since no individual could bear the brunt of it all.

"Wc are most grateful to the Prime Minister. Throughout all our dealings with the New Zealand Government his friendship has been marked, and it wiil give me great pleasure to report this direct to the President of the United Slates.

"I wish to thank all those people who have been hospitable and courteous to the hundred members of my expedition during their sojourn here. I wish I could thank each one in person. "As an example of the friendship which has been extended to us and which causes Americans to think highly of New Zealand is the work done for the expedition by Mr T. J. Gardiner, Wellington, and Mr James Duncan, of Dunedin. I cannot leave New Zealand without speaking of Mr D. A. Ardell, who has been the Government representative. In dealing with our expedition his courtesy and kindness have known no limits, and it would be difficult for anyone who is greeted here by him not to feel that New Zealand is a most kindly and hospitable countrv

"I an: delighted to find that I am going back in the same ship as Lord Bledisloe. and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the great value to the expedition, and to myself in particular, that has come from being able to enter into discussions of a scientific nature with his Excellency on the occasion of my visits ■o Wellington. It is of a further definite interest and pleasure to mc to observe, as a brother scientist, the sincere expressions of deep regret upon Lord Bledisloc's departure from New Zeaiand after his five years as GovernorGeneral "