ELLSWORTH EXPEDITION

Evening Star, Issue 21632, 30 January 1934, Page 8

ELLSWORTH EXPEDITION

FUTURE FUNS INDEFINITE

HARBOUR BOARD'S FUNCTION TO LEADERS

As regards anotlier expedition to the Antarctic Continent, Mr Lincoln Ellsworth’s plans are still indefinite, but if Dunedin public opinion, as expressed through those who spoke this morning at a function held in the Harbour Board premises, carries any weight, the popular American explorer should again be seen using this port as a hopping-off place for the ice-bound wastes. In the meantime, with a view to procuring some holiday exercise in the National Park district, Mr Ellsworth has sent for Captain Mercer to bring down an aeroplane to convey him north. At the moment of writing the plane had not arrived, but, in an interview with a ‘ Star ’ reporter this morning, Mr Ellsworth said he hoped to leave some time during the day. Both the leader and Mr Bernt Balchen, the chief pilot, plan to sail from Auckland for San Francisco by the Mariposa on February 10, while Sir Hubert Wilkins will remain in Dunedin in charge of the remainder of the party. The members of the Wyatt Earp’s crew were given 'an easy day yesterday, but to-day a start was made at unloading the aeroplane which had suffered as a result of the treacherous behaviour of the Antarctic ice. The process of boxing the machine in readiness for transport to America will take about a week, and it is anticipated that it will leave New Zealand either from Wellington by the Maunganui on Feb.ru\ry 20 or from Auckland on March 10, after being shipped there by ;the Wyatt Earp. This morning’s function in the board room of the Otago Harbour Board, at which Mr Ellsworth, Sir Hubert Wilkins, and Captain Holth were the •guests, was attended by the chairman of the board (Mr H. C. Campbell) and members of the board, the mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox), Mr J, Duncan (manager of H. L. Tapley and Co.), Mr C. W. Sundstrum, Mr H. Ninnis (a member of Shackleton’s expedition and now station director of 4lfA), the harbour master (Captain J. Mac Lean), and the harbour board engineer (Mr J. M‘G. Wilkie). Mr Campbell said that they were welcoming their guests earlier than they hoped, and throughout New -Zealand everybody regretted the misfortune that had overtaken the expedition. However, Mr Ellsworth’s had been a worthy attempt, and it was hoped that Dunedin would be the base of any subsequent effort of a similar nature that was contemplated. Anything that could be done for Mr Ellsworth by the Harbour Board would be done. The dock would be put at his disposal, and every facility would be provided to ensure the success of the venture. Mr Campbell concluded by thanking Mr Sundstrum for the generous manner in which he always placed his yacht at their disposal at such times.

The Mayor said they were delighted to see that their friends had returned safely, for there was always an element of danger in exploration of any kind. Although Mr Ellsworth had not accomplished his object that fact did not detract from the glory of his effort. Some people placed too much value on success, but the main thing was really effort. ’■ In reply Mr Elswortlr thanked those present tor their welcome, and said they were . not dismayed by the illfortune that had overtaken them. He hoped they would have the opportunity to continue their explorations.' The Harbour Board had been most kind to them, as had all the people in New Zealand. Always he would remember their spontaneous generosity. Sir Hubert Wilkins expressed his appreciation of the fact, that the people here had shown towards the American visitor the same graceful courtesy that 1 they had always shown to their own countrymen. As regards the expedition, Mr Ellsworth had prepared to meet all contingencies, but. the unexpected had happened. Sir Hubert paid a warm tribute to the qualities of leadership possessed by Mr Ellsworth. Mr H. E, Holler remarked that, from the scenic point of view, the visitors had surely seen no finer harbour anywhere than Otago Harbour. He hoped that the expedition would make this the base for any future attempt that was made to accomplish their object. , Mr T. Scollay added to the warmth of the welcome, and paid a special tribute to Captain Holth, of the Wyatt Earp, who, he said, had worthily upheld the traditions of the sea by reason of his successful navigation of the dangerous southern waters. Mr D. F. P. Sharpe and Mr J. Duncan also spoke, the latter stating. that the general public did not realise how much the Otago Harbour Board did for such expeditions. He wished to thank the board for all it had done to help the agents, and also Mr Sundstrum for the use of his launch. After Mr Campbell and Mr Suudstrum had replied, Mr Ninnis 1 gave a brief sketch of his experiences in the southern seas, and stated that 4Y_A was always happy to do anything in its power to help such ventures. Captain Holth said they were disappointed but not down-hearted, and if it was decided that another attempt should he made he I hoped that they would manage to achieve their object. The toasts “ The Harbour Board ” (proposed by Mr Ellsworth) and “ The City of Dunedin ” (proposed by Sir Hubert Wilkins) were suitably honoured, Mr J. Loudon, the mayor, and Mr E. Jones, M.P., responding.