ADVENTURE WITH THE BYRD EXPEDITION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 247, 16 July 1935, Page 10

ADVENTURE WITH THE BYRD EXPEDITION

Stranded New Zealanders

SHOCK FOR MOTHER OF C. MELROSE

The news first cabled on Friday of the predicament of two young New Zealanders who became stranded in New York without money after making the trip to the United States at rhe conclusion of Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic expedition, came as a shock to Mrs. G. Melrose, mother of one of the pair, Cecil Melrose.

“I was very upset when I saw in the paper that Cecil was likely to be deported from New York,” Mrs. Melrose told a “Dominion” representative yesterday. Mrs. Melrose, whose home is in Christchurch, is at present visiting her sister, Mrs. E. M. McClelland, Wellington. “The idea of my son being deported like an undesirable was a great shock, because all who know him recognise that he is a level-headed boy,” Mrs. Melrose added. “People have been thinking that Cecil and his friend, Francis Smooth} - , had done something to brand them as undesirable aliens. The next cable in the paper yesterday has cleared it all up, I hope.” This was to the effect that arrangements had been made by a member of the expedition to send the young men home without a stigma. The mother went on to tell how, anxious for the well-being of her son, she had written to Admiral Byrd after the return of the expedition to the United States. He had replied that there was no need for her to worry as long as Melrose was in the States, and he would come to no want while he remained there.

Mrs. Melrose said her son would never seek assistance unless driven to it, and this in a measure explains the statement in Monday’s cablegram that a spokesman for the Byrd expedition ex-

plained that he had had no idea of tbc difficulties of the two adventurers until he had read of them in the American Press.

Melrose joined the Jacob Ruppert. at. Dunedin on Boxing Day last year, “just for the adventure of it,” his mother said. He volunteered to do anything required of him. He and Smoot hey were taken down to the ice pack to pick up the expedition for the voyage back Io New Zealand. Melrpse was at his home in Christchurch for a fortnight and hit upon the plan of accompanying Admiral Byrd back to the United States. His object was to see more of the world. He had no ambitions to find a job there. Dated Muy 18. a letter to his mother on arrival of the party at Boston, the first point in the United States at. which the Jacob Ruppert, touched, revealed symptoms*. of borne sickupss. “I wish I were back in New Zealand,” he sighed. Once ashore, however, he entered with zest into the welcome accorded the expedition, whose members were accommodated in a palatial hotel after having driven through the streets "with confetti pouring out. of the windows.” The “very good time” which all the party were enjoying was capped witli a banquet given in their honour by the Governor of the State. “I have not the slightest idea how 1 am getting back.” Melrose continued. “I have had an offer of a position in a hospital here —some big wealthy man.” Nothing was definite, but he was going to try hard to get it. A second letter written from Boston on June 5 indicated that the young men were still on board the Jacob Ruppert. which would presently sail for New York. “I will be glad when I get home; there’s no place like New Zealand.” tiie young man concluded. Mrs. Melrose said her son had worked his passage to Great Britain in 193-1 in the Federal liner Kent as a steward. He was stranded in London for some weeks after the £l5 which lie had earned on the trip had gone in living expenses. He informed his mol her that he was down to his last shilling, but asked her not to worry. Eventually he reached Auckland in another vessel and remained in Christchurch for three months before he put the idea to Admiral Byrd which was destined to have its outcome in Press messages from New York.