THE POLAR FLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 25 May 1925, Page 5

THE POLAR FLIGHT

TANTALISING ABSENCE OF

NEWS

GOOD WEATHER IN POLAR AREA

EXPLORERS MAY' BE STAYING.

jCBNITED PRESS ASSOCIATIOH—COPTRIOHT.)

(AOSTRALUN-NKW ZEALAND CAIU.E ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 24th May. The world is still awaiting news of Amundsen. The latest, at 3 o'clock this morning, is the following by wireless from the Pram, at Wellmans Bay, Spitzbergen, timed 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon: "The sky is overclouded this morning, snow is falling, and fog is observable far over the mountains. The sudden change in the weather has caused anxiety to all tho members of the expedition except the meteorologists, who report that fine weather has prevailed over the Polar basin to the north-east of Spitzbergen. The bad weather here is due to warm south-westerly winds blowing over the cold land, which has riven rise to local clouds.

"In the circumstances Amundsen is not expected to return to-day The weather experts consider it highly probable that the good weather over the Polar basin has induced the airmen to prolong their stay at the Pole, with a view to making thorough observations. If they started to return early this morning then doubtless they discovered the bad weather over the north-western corner of Spitzbergen and descended to await a change. The possibility of this was foreseen, and according to Amundsen s instructions the Hobby at 9 o'clock this morning proceeded to search the ico edge, with orders not to proceed beyond Verlegen Hook, and to return betore 8 o'clock to-night."

PROTECTION AGAINST MISHAPS

The opinion in London is that there is no real ground for anxiety till Sunday night Even then time must be allowed for the transmission of news. Owing to relays it_ takes five hours to transmit from Spitsbergen to Oslo. Unfortunately, Amundsen carried no wireless having dispensed with the apparatus in order to carry more petrol. Some reports indicate that he intended to stay at the Pole for possibly 48 hours. Certainly the temptation to stay would be great to a man of his temperament and experience On the other hand, he is well provided against flying mishaps. He has skis, sledges, fuel, and food and could, if necessary, transfer the passengers to one machine, oi*run the two machines on one engine.