STARS AND STRIPES

Northern Advocate, 3 July 1928, Page 5

STARS AND STRIPES

FEATURE OF ARCTIC FLIGHT

SCIENTIFIC DATA,

SEASONAL FORECASTING.

(Australian Press Association.! (Received ,11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 2,

Sir George Wilkins and Lieutenant Fuel so u, who arrived today, were met by the Mayor's Reception Committee, which took the fliers from the liner Stavangcrford in a city tug. They proceeded to the City Hall, where they were greeted by the Acting Mayor, Mr McKee.

In response to the greeting, Sir George Wilkins said: “I can never express my- gratitude to the American people for the splendid co-opera-tion you gave us. It was one of the greatest privileges of my life to carry the Stars and Stripes to the Arctic, and I appreciate the confidence w'hieh the United States placed in me. “Perhaps the greatest scientific achievement of our expedition was the data we gathered on seasonal forecasting. In that work we were helped immeasurably by information supplied us by Commander Byrd."

Lieutenant. Eielson made a brief speech, after which Mr William MacCrackcn, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aviation, told the fliers that they had helped to promote international goodwill. It was a demonstration that men of different nationalities could work in harmony on scientific projects. The Acting Australian Commissioner, Mr Dow, also spoke briefly. Sir George Wilkins will spend a week here perfecting plans for his Arctic expedition, after which he will leave Lieutenant Eielson in charge of the work here and proceed on an air tour of the United States.