ANOTHER EXPEDITION

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 20 February 1935, Page 7

ANOTHER EXPEDITION

MEMBERS OF BVRD PARTV TENTATIVE PROPOSALS AERIAL SURVEY PLANS. (By Tdefraph—Press Association j DUNEDIN, Feb. 19. Although nothing definite has been decided yet, if another expedition for the South is formed, there are several members of the. present Byrd Expedition party who are prepared once again to brave the rigours of the Antarctic. Among these is Mr. Harold June, chief of the aviation staff, who announced to-day tiiat lie iiad definite plans for an improved form of motor transport for ice work. The success of future expeditions, he believed, would largely be dependent on highly developed mechanised transport. and if his plans worked out as be hoped and finance were available be and other* of the party would again turn their faces toward the frozen south.

Mr. June stated, however, that ii would be of no use on any future occasion to adopt Little America as a base of operations. “Our two expeditions have fully explored the area all round that section of the Antarctic,” bo said, “and one would have to go too far to strike into a new territory. The next base will probably be on the opposite side of the continent, where planes will have plenty of scope in the aerial mapping of new and unknown land. “THINK WE ARE MAD.” Mr. June wa, very reluctant to discuss his plans for the future. “I believe in getting over ono sickness before I take another,” he said, somewhat ruefully, as bo reflected on the year of strenuous and dangerous work which has just been completed. “People already th'uk we are mad to go down there, but what would they say if they heard that we were scarcely "out of the Antarctic before we were talking of going back again? Everything depends, on the prospects we have of obtaining more highly developed mechanised transport which, in cooperation with planes, could scientificcnlly and geodgraphically explore the immense area in a comparatively- shoit time. I have definite plans of my own for an improved type ol transport which would do the work.” “Who will be the leader of the next expedition?” Mr. June was asked. “Oh, I suppose I’ll be one of the foolish ones.”" he said with a laugh. “But I don’t want to say more than that just now. There will be no chance of doing anything in the way of another expedition unless we can got sufficient- financial -support. We will need at least. 750,000 dollars to carry out the job properly, and that is a lot ot money, especially just now when so much is l>eing spent in America on relief of distress.”

BYRiD TO MEET WIFE. DUNEDIN, Feb. 19. Admiral Byrd left for Auckland this morning to meet his wife, who arrives from the United States hv the Mariposa on Friday. . . When he returns to Dunedin a civic reception will be held. Pending the arrival of the Bear of Oakland there will be no official entertainment for the personnel of the expedition.