BYRD EXPEDITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3942, 1 October 1929, Page 28

BYRD EXPEDITION.

MR RICHARD BROPHY MISSING CLOTHES FOUND IN BATHS LOCKER. WELLINGTON, September 25. Many people in New Zealand who met Mr Richard G. Brophy, shore manager in the Dominion for the Byrd expedition. will be interested to read the following New York cablegram, which appeared in the Springfield Republican of August 27:— “ Clothes containing cablegrams from Commander Richard E. Byrd and business cards bearing the name of Richard Gale Brophy, former second in command to Commander Byrd on the latter’s expedition to the Antarctic, were found in a locker room at the Washington Baths at Coney Island to-day. The clothes had been checked there yesterday. The police learned that Brophy had been living at the Hotel Belvidere, but had been missing for two weeks. His wife and child were said to be visiting friends at Toronto. “ One of the cables signed by Commander Byrd in Little America and dated April 2 read: ‘ Much obliged for your message. There was some delay in reaching me. Remember that no matter what hard luck you may have had we can work things out if you will continue to have faith in me. Best of good wishes.—Your friend, Byrd.’ “The second message, dated April 22, read: ‘How are you feeling? Plea e let me know if there is anything I can do 'or you. Cheerio, old fellow.—Byrd.’ ” Mr Brophy was active at Commander Byrd s headquarters here during the months of preparation for the Antarctic expedition, and shortly before the party sailed last year Commander Byrd named him second in command, a post previously held by Floyd Bennett, who went to the North Pole with Commander Byrd and who died while going to the aid of the Bremen Atlantic flyers who were stranded on Greenly Island. Some months ago Mr Brophy returned from the Antarctic, saying that he was going into private business.