THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1928, Page 3

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

INTEREST GROWING

DUNEDIN, Nov. “0. Tin.- arrival of the Eleanor Bolling has aroused pubic interest, and the enthusiasm is comparable only with the departure of Captain Scott’s South Polar expedition from Port Chalmers on November thy R)J(). Crowds found Lii..r way to the wharves -yesterday to inspect the vessel, hut no visitors were allowed on hoard, and so the ontiiusiasiies contented themselves with watching the activities ol the ship’s personnel and the men engaged in transhipping her valuable freight and in focusing their eyes over the sleighs and skis and other material. All those articles wen- a novelty to the majority ol tile scores of interested wharl visit-

Pcrhap.- the only man ol' the Eleanor Bolling’s company who lias been in New Zealand before in Mr F. M‘Pherson, who is in charge of the engine room department. His previous visit to lltago Harbour was in 191!) as an engineer on the American vessel Western Beil.

The wireless plant installed on the Elt-aiior Bolling has sufficient power to enable the ship to keen in consistent e-immiiiiieation with the American land stations. During the voyage from New York the monotony was broken by the receipt by special musical programmes broadcast by station K.D.K.A.. at Brook la nd. This station was advised d (he ship’s arrival at Dunedin, and a special programme was broadcast on Sunday night. Every item was heard clearly, and tin- Eleanor Boiling’s company greatly enjoyed their first night in New Zealand.

THE < ITY OF NEW YORK

WITHIN WIRELESS RANG!

The Citv of New York, the other vessel -ol iho exi.edition, is in constant

wi.reb-is communication with the Eleanor Bolling. Both vessels are fitted with powerful wireless apparatus. The City of New York is now on her way across the Pacific under sail. Sinhas evidently I teen favoured by good inds during the past, day or two. as a message received by the Eleanor i'.olilng’s operator yesterday stated that tin- Citv of New York had sailed lAO

miles from noon on Tuesday. The vessel was then one thousand miles distant Irani the New Zealand coast. Should favourable winds continue, she should reach the port ol Otago" within the next seven days. A conference was held on hoard the

ship yesterday to discuss matters in connection with the arrival of the Citv of New York. The vessel’s present position in the Paeilic was a matter for discussion, and the nautical men estimated that she should be in the vicinity of East Cape about the end of this week. As arrangements have been made to despatch the City of New York from Dunedin on or about Dee. Ist. for the ice harrier, it is necessary for the ship to reach this harbour at the earliest possible date. She is unde:- sail only, and may he delayed owing to building winds. Taking these e reitm.-tanet's into consideration, the v. nlerer.ee practically decided that in ail pro mbilitv the Eleanor Rolling will leave Wellington about Friday for East Gape, for the purpose of picking up the C itv of New York and towing her to Dun-ix.lin. ,Should the City of New York show up off East- Cape at the lane set down by the nautical men. both ships are expected to reach Dunedin early next week. Commander Byrd and the M other members of the expedition are expected Lo arrive in Dunedin about Saturday from Wellington. During their slay in Wellington the commander and his men have been billeted with friends.