BYRD EXPEDITION DOCTOR

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 8

BYRD EXPEDITION DOCTOR

- ■ " PR&SABLE CHOICE OF LOCAL SURGEON DEFINITE SELECTION EXPECTED TO-DAY Three doctors in the South Island and one in Sydney have offered to go to Little America to winter with_ the Byrd expedition in place of Dr Shire,y, who is returning from the Antarctic owing to a serious illness. Messrs H. L. Tapley and Co., agents for the expedition, reported at noon that a Dunedin doctor who has volunteered to make the trip will probably be chosen, but the selection will depend upon Admiral Byrd’s approval. The selected doctor will probably leave here next week in an exploration ship which is at present at Auckland. Efforts are being made to secure this ship to, transport the doctor to the ice. Advice was received this morning from the Ranfurly doctor, who was considering the matter, that he >' ould be available, but as his fee was in excess of the amount Admiral Byrd would be prepared to pay his ■'pplicatiou was turned down. A Sydney doctor cabled last night asking for full particulars of the requirements if the post were still available. This application is not being considered, as the applicant is too far awav from New Zealand. Offers from Nelson and Christchurch to fill the position have also been received. A Tress Association message from Christchurch states that _ the local practitioner had offered his services only if the expedition could not obtain another doctor, and each offer from Nelson and Christchurch depended, to a certain extent at least, upon the doctor being able to make satisfactory arrangements for carrying on lus prao tice while he was away. The question of physical fitness should also enter into the selection. „ , , . . It was hoped that a final decision regarding the choice would be made this afternoon.