RETURN OF N.Z. CLIMBER

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27098, 22 July 1953, Page 10

RETURN OF N.Z. CLIMBER

HILLARY TO ARRIVE NEXT MONTH LETTER TO HEADMASTER OF OLD SCHOOL (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 21. In reply to a congratulatory letter from Mr C. M. Littlejohn, headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, Sir Edmund Hillary says that he will return to Auckland next month. “Life has been rather hectic since our return to civilisation, and it is going to take some- time to get back to normal,” he says. “George Lowe and I are a little overwhelmed by the reaction in New Zealand. Actually, before I received your letter I was considering giving a talk to the boys. I will be back m Auckland in August, and perhaps we can arrange something then.” Sir Edmund Hillary was a pupil of the Auckland Grammar School for four years, leaving in 1935. LOWE’S REPLY TO INQUIRY “13 Men Climbed Everest ” MR NASH RECOUNTS INCIDENT (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 21. While the controversy still flared up as to who was first to reach the summit of Everest, George Lowe, on his first day in London gave this answer to a casual inquirer: “Thirteen men climbed Everest.” This reply was quoted today by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash), Reporting on a day he had spent in London with Lowe. Mr Nash, who returned to Wellington today from his Coronation visit to London, said that Lowe had made it clear that these 13 had been successful only because others had lost their lives exploring the way. The final achievement had been realised after 30 years of effort by some superlatively brave, enterprising, and determined men. Mr Nash spent a pleasant full day with Lowe, who is the son of a personal frieqd. On his arrival in London from India, Lowe got in totich with Mr Nash, and they watched a Cam-bridge-Oxford cricket match, dined, and saw a musical show. Relating Lowe’s comments on team work on the climb, Mr Nash said: “George said he had never worked with a more co-operative body of men than that which won the final triumph.”