GRAN'S REMARKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 December 1929, Page 5

GRAN'S REMARKS

TONE AND SPIRIT DENOUNCED (United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 4th December. Mr Herbert George Pouting', F.R.G.S., in a letter to the "Daily Mail," speaking for all Scott's comrades, denounces the whole tone and spirit of the remarks by Gran. He says they can only recoil on himself. Byrd spent two years preparing for the "expedition and established a base on the great ice barrier in December. His staff includes geologists, meteorologists, and other scientists. The main geological party is now proceeding with dog, teams to examine mountains 500 miles from the base, which Gran dismisses as a phantasy. Every polar explorer knows this last range was first discovered by Shacklcton. "I highly admire Byrd's and his comrades' achievement. It was a colossal task. Byrd's fine wireless tributes to Scott and other pioneers and his words before Scott's statue at Dunedin were a most beautiful and touching tribute from one man to the memory of another." "GRAN RATHER SEVERE " (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day Mr H. T. Ferrar, geologist in Scott's first Antarctic expedition in 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 the South Pole: "Gran is rather severe. Commander Byrd's story shows that he and his pilots are to be heartily congratulated on their successful twenty four hours flight to the South Pole and back. The air survey and air reconnaissance 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 ami discovery territory to which a legitimate claim 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 what he means by saving 'the land on the whole is a plain'.' It is well known that the Polar plateau is 9000 feet above the great ice barrier. More- ?«?£', ity is ''"'Messed by mountains 12,000 to 15,000 feet high between which Byrd had to pass on his flight."

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