BYRD RETURNS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1935, Page 5

BYRD RETURNS

BOAT AT DUNEDIN

COMMENT ON THE EXPEDITION.

(Per Preßd Association.—Copyright,)

DUNEDIN, Febru a r v 18

Two days earlier than expected, Admiral Byrd’s expedition ship, the Jacob Ruppert, was sighted to-day off Otago. Heads, shortly after midday. An hour and a half later the vessel arrived at Port Chalmers, and, after a medical examination, which found a clean hill of health, sh e proceeded to Dunedin, reaching her berth her© at 4 p.m.

After their sojourn in the Antarctic extending over twelve months, th e members of the expedition were obviously delighted to make contact once again with civilisation, and though bearded and bewhiskered, they wer? fresh-comploxiolied, healthy, and cheerful.

Few, if any, of the expedition appeared to Wave suffered from the rigours of the Polar regions; but- when it is remembered that they have enjoyed no company, save their own, for more than a year, it can well be imagined that they greeted land and the sight of new faces with feelings of heartfelt gratitude. Admiral Bvrd, in au interview, s a id that the main function of the expedition had been to ascertain whether there was any connection between Marie Bvrd Torn] and the main Antarctic Continent. As the result of the work of the expedition, they were now satisfied that the existence of such a connecting link had been definitely established.

A great deal of scientific work of great value has been accomplished, he said, but the full results would not be available'for «t least three years owing to the necessity of correlating the in formation gathered.

The expedition, he stated, had left behind a large ouavititv of food ! and housing material, which would be available for a«v future expedition. Admiral Bvrd leaves for Am-kland in the. morning to nidet Mrs Byrd, who is due, there on Friday. ' ■ • .

Admiral Bvrd said that he was not prepared to discuss the euestion of whether ho proposed to undertake any further polar exploration. “ T have now completed four maiew expeditions without the loss of a single IUV’ he said. “That is what 1 regard ns the high light of mv exploring experience. At the same time.” he added modestly, “it is duo to tho special not of Providence 'and not to any actual skill of mv own.’’

The expedition enjoyed fresh milk ns a regular article, of diet at the Bay of Whales. However, of the three cows that were taken south., one succumbed to the rigorous Antarctic, while the two others, together with a bull calf horn in the Far South, are now on board; and in good condition. It is of some interest to speculate 6u the commercial value of these a nim a ls>, and especially of the calf, bv the time that they reach America.

YY 7 hen interviewed, the geological members of the party stated that no minerals of a commercial value were found in the Antarctic. Traces were discovered of lead 'and molyuuenite, as well os extensive deposits of coal in the Queen Maude a r ea. but their in■•’.ccessibility is the chief barrier to their value. romantic touch disclosed DUNEDIN, February 18. \ touch of romance was associated with the. arrival here todnv of the Byrd Expedition. While the Jacob ■Rnppert was still some distance from the point. of berthage, Doctor T. C. Ponlter, the sreond-in-command, h-°d hired a special launch and was speeding towards Port Chalmers, wheT e he met Miss Helen Grey, to whom he pronosed and married the sam* night. Brfng<ng fhe charaoeiristic American bustle to hear on the preliminaries. Doctor Poulter was so successful that in less than four hours after arrival, his Im'aririlage was cHebnted 5n the manse of First presbvterinn Church. Admiral Byrd gave the bride away. Dr Poulter met Miss G re y while he was a Professor at the Towi Wesleyan College, 'and she later assisted him in 'Scientific work. She has been in Dunedin for some time in '‘barge of Dr 'Pointer's three children of his former marriage. The pair had bo°n in touch bv mePis of radio brought o"t with the expedition, and it is understood the marriage arrangements were made over the 'air.