ALL IN VAIN.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10740, 10 November 1928, Page 5

ALL IN VAIN.

YOUNG SCIENTIST JOURNEYS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

Wants to join byiid’s antarctic ’ EXPEDITION. HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN •• -REJECTED. personnel "Cannot now be -. altered,. . .. <Tu-«n a Association-* ' WELLINGTON, Nov. 9. ■ Fired by ambition to prosecute geological research in the frozen fastnesses of the Antarctic, and burning with a desire to become a member of Commander Byrd’s expedition, a young mail arrived m Wellington the other day after travelling all the way , from Czccho-Slo-vakia. The young man is Dr Vaclov Vojtech, graduate of the University ol’ Prague. He is a geologist, who, when Commander Bvrd was selecting the personnel of his expedition some months ago, wrote and asked to be enrolled as a member. There were more than 5000 applicants for places in the expedition. Many . of them, were, of course, ineligible, but it was surprising the number off capable scientific men, as well as mariners, who were willing to go in any capacity. One of these was Dr Voljtech, whose application was rejected by Commander Byrd, who naturally concluded that that was the end of the matter.

Now, two or three days after his urrival at Wellington, Commander Byrd is confronted by the young man in person, who seeks a place in the expedition on any terms and in any capacity. Dr Voljtech states that he sold most of his possessions to pay his passage from Czeeho-Slovakia to New Zealand and that lie will be a “ruined man” if he is not taken as a member of the expedition. It is all very unfortunate, but Commander Byrd has all the men he can possibly do with, and he is regretfully compelled to tell Dr Vaclov Voljtech that his long journey has been in vain. In any case, he had previously been informed by letter that his,"proffered services could not be accepted.