HOMEWARD BOUND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3972, 29 April 1930, Page 32

HOMEWARD BOUND.

ENTHUSIASTIC SCENE AT

STATION.

Rear-admiral Richard E. Byrd, who left Dunedin on I hursday morning for Wellington en route to New York, was given an enthusiastic send-off at the Railway Station. The southern end of the platioi m was packed by citizens who gathered to -catch a final glimpse of the noted explorer. The event was a memorable one—an event that will, no doubt, be rem embered by Admiral Byrd. lhe expedition leader reached the station about 10 minutes before the express was tuned to leave, and the crowd was so large that he occupied some minutes in pushing his way through the people, who pressed forward for a final handshake. Several policemen were present, and it was necessary for them to hold the crowd back while the admiral crossed the platform to the Ministerial carriage When Admiral Byrd stepped on board the carriage he was greeted with rousing cheers and the singing of “For He's a Jolly Good Fellow? 5

Among those present to say good-bve to the explorer were Sir Charles Statham, the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black), and a number of prominent citizens. Before stepping on to the carriage the admiral was showered with confetti, and the Mayoress (Mrs Black) handed him a beautiful bouQuct of flowers. From the open carriage door Admiral Byrd said his final farewelL He knew tiiat the crowd was interested in Jus mascot dog, as he suddenly exclaimed: “Where is Igloo? I do noi want to lose him a second time? 5 The admii al then announced that Igloo was safe, as he occupied one of the easy chairs in the carriage. There was a rush on the part of intimate friends for a final hand-shake, and as the express commenced to move coloured streamers were thrown into the carriage, and Admiral By-rd, acknowledging the honour conferred upon him. waved his farewells. Ills final words to the citizens were:—

“Good-bye, and thank you all.” ■ il! Jo u ™eying to the station Admiral Byrd placed a wreath on the war memorial in the Queen’s Gardens in remembrance of Anzac Day. Having laid the wreath at the base of the memorial, the admiral saluted, and stood for a minute bare-headed. It was a short but impressive ceremony, and just one of those thoughtful actions of sympathy which have won him so many friends and the respect of the people of New Zealand. To the wreath was attached a card in Admiral b? Tq!, s handwriting, the words being:— •Ai Byrd Antarctic expedition joins with the people of New Zealand in its grateful remembrance of the gallant soldiers from this country who fell in tlie Great World War.—Richard E.

Before boarding the express, Admiral Byrd handed the following message to the press representatives for publication:— n ratl ! e , r say au revoir to Dunedin than good-bye, for I am looking forward to. coining back again. “There is one thing I have never sufficiently emphasised, and that is the great debt our expedition owes to the New Zealand contingent who volunteered to get our ships south to us. There was not one of them who did not show himself to be a gentleman. They- played the game and worked as one of us. They were courageous and worked very hard and contributed greatly to our success. After my- stay here I can easily understand why my men felt reluctant and sad to leave Dunedin.

On all sides the hospitality has been of an extraordinary nature, so that our stay here will always be one of the bright spots in our lives.

~ ‘‘ lain making no real statement at this time, only- to say- that I am sorry indeed to go, and I cannot reiterate too often the everlasting gratitude that we feel towards Dunedin.

Whenever in the years to come we have the good fortune to meet up with anyone from Dunedin it will be a red letter day for us.

“ I have accepted these gestures of friendship as signals of goodwill towards the nation under whose flag I have been proud to sail, and I can assure the people of New Zealand that that goodwill is most heartily reciprocated by the people of my country. I know that my countrymen are most grateful for the wonderful way that this city- has accepted the members of the expedition, and when some of you come to the States you will find that they all know about it and appreciate it. Au revoir.”

Admiral Byrd was accompanied by Mr Lloyd Berkner, the wireless expert of the expedition, and Mrs Berkner. The last-named was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers by the Mayoress. Messrs H. L. Tapley and James H. Dunean travelled with the admiral as far as Palmerston, where they said farewell to the noted explorer and wished him a safe return to his homeland.

Admiral Byrd, together with Mr and Mrs Berkner and four other prominent members of the expedition, will leave Wellington this morning by the motor ship Rangitiki for Panama. At the canal the party will embark on the supply ship City of New York and make the last stage of the homeward voyage on htat vessel. Over two years have elapsed since Admiral Byrd left New York to join the expedition in New Zealand with the determination to fly from the Barrier to the South Pole. He received a great reception when the expedition crowned with success returned to Dunedin

over six weeks ago. Admiral Byrd was a popular figure in the city, and the citi-’ zens will long remember his unfailingcourtesy and remarkable personality. 4