GRAN’S CLAIM

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1929, Page 5

GRAN’S CLAIM

SCOTT’S GEOLOGIST COMMENTS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Dec, 5. T. Terra, the geologist in Scott’s I First Antarctic Expedition 1901 to 1904, when asked to comment on Gran’s cablegram from. Copenhagen, said: “With reference to the criticism of Commander Byrd’s flight over -thei South Pole, Gran is rather severe. Commander Byrd’s story shows that he and his pilots are to be heartily congratulated on their sueessful twentyfour hours’ flight to the South Pole and hack. The air surveys and air reconnaissances that are being made will facilitate the work of Gould and his geographical party. Now that Byrd has achieved one of the objects of his Expedition he will no doubt carry his explorations eastwards and discover territory to which legitimate fame may be laid. “Gran’s remarks about the mountain ranges near the Pole are hard to follow. For instance he talks of some of these ranges being, south of the South Pole, which of course, is absurd. It is difficult to understand yvhat lie means by saying: ‘Land on the whole is a plain.’ It is well known that the Polar Plateau is 9000 ft. above the great ice harrier, and moreover it is buttressed hv mountains 12,000 to 15,000 feet high, between which Byrd had to pass on his flight.”