FOR THE SOUTH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 August 1925, Page 5

FOR THE SOUTH.

THE WILKINS EXPEDITION. STARTS FROM NEW ZEALAND. BY CABLE—PRESI ASSOCI ATJON COPY RIGII l LONDON, Aug. 18. Captain Wilkins has bought captain Amundsen’s famous aeroplane. He sets out from New Zealand in October 1925 for the Antarctic.— Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

USE OF AEROPLANES

LONDON, Aug. IS

Captain Wilkins, who will set out from New Zealand in October, 1925, for the Antarctic, is enthusiastic with the idea that the ’plane which has gone furthest north should go furthest south. (It was mentioned yesterday that he had purchased Capt. Amundsen’s aeroplane). He has arranged with the Ross Sea Whaling Company to land the machine and supplies on the ice-foot at Frankheim, Amundsen’s old winter quarters. Then the South Shetland Whalers’ Company will pick it up on arrival at Graham’, Land and bring it to South America. Mr Matthews will be chief pilot, and a. Norwegian, who is most experienced in ice conditions, lias agreed to act as second pilot. Captain Wilkins expects the expedition to last six months. Commenting on the rumour that Captain Amundsen would have no use for the aeroplanes in his next Polar attempt. Captain Wilkins said that there was no comparison between the Arctic and Antarctic. The latter provided the better conditions, and was safer over the mainland mass, allowing the establishment of depots. He consulted with Amundsen who, though he did not then look from an airman’s viewpoint, in reviewing the conditions c.f hie former experiences, believes the conditions at the Bay of Whales, King Edward Land, to be ideal, since he only met two storms in his 12 months’ stay there. ■

Captain Wilkins consulted Commander Prestrud, one of Amundsen’, Antarctic party, who journeyed 200 mile, in King Edward Land and says an aeroplane can land almost anywhere.