BYRD ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Otago Witness, Issue 3987, 12 August 1930, Page 69

BYRD ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

RECEPTION AT NEW YORK. NEW ZEALANDER’S IMPRESSIONS. (Photographs in This Issue.) New York citizens cheered themselves horse and released a synthetic snowstorm of paper when Rear-Admiral R. E. Byrd and his companions arrived at New York from New Zealand and paraded up Broadway to the City Hall. Then Washington had its turn, and then the proudest locality of all—Virginia— Admiral Byrd’s own State. But the greeting was really national, for all America had followed with bated breath the adventures of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, and rejoiced that the adventurers had returned without a single loss of life. The arrival of the supply ships, followed by the reception, brought the American nation to its feet. According to reports received in Dunedin, there have been very few receptions ever helil in New York to beat the one tendered to Admiral Byrd and his men. A graphic description of the arrival of the City of New Yfirk and Eleanor Bolling and the reception is given by Mr Frank M. Paape in recent letters received by his parents at the Grand Hotel. Mr Paape made the trip from Dunedin to New York as a member of the crew of the Eleanor Bolling. Writing from New York under date June 24, Mr Paape states:— “ The ships anchored outside the harbour on the night of June IS, and made preparations to enter New York the following morning. Sailors from the United States Navy and marines came aboard and took over both ships. About 6 a.m. on June 19 all hands were awakened by the sound of whistles and cheering. We stepped on deck to behold a sight which made everyone gasp. Tow boats, yachts, launches, steamers, airships, aeroplanes, and navy destroyers were all around us. At *lO a.m. "the expedition ships started to steam slowly ahead into the mass of moving shipping. All hands were then transferred to another ship and this vessel steamed towards the dock. Fire ships, with hoses throwing streams of water to a height of several hundred feet, greeted us in all. directions. The noise from human throats, steam whistles and sirens was deafening. Thousands of people greeted us from every angle. Then our ship diew alongside the dock. The noise was so terrific that one could not hear oneself speak. Motor cars were waiting to convey members of the expedition to°the City Hall. After a grr-u struggle we succeeded in making a start amidst the prolonged cheers from the assembled multitude.

“ Then the parade started up Broadway. Thousands of pe ; p] e hued the famous .Broadway. Three thousand policemen attempted to hold the crowds back. We were soon smothered in paper and confetti. It was learned that over seven tons of paper was collected on Broadway after the parade had passed. Very slowly we passed along the streets until we came to the City Hall. Thousands of military mm led the parade, every man in luh dress uniform. Skyscrapers from 50 tc 60 stories high surrounded us. Military men formed a guard of honour round the motor cars at the City Hall, and escorted us to the platform. Here w<i were met by the Governor, the Mayor of New York, and all the city officials. The cheering crowd was frantic with excitement. After the speeches had been maue, medals were presented to some of the boys. Then we fought our way back to the ears to proceed to the hotel to'orders and mail. “ The dinner tendered to Admiral Byrd and his men that night was held in a wonderful dining room in the H.tel Astor. Over 2500 male guests were pre sent. The dinner finished, we left at midnight by special train for Washington. We reached the capital at 9 a.m. the next day, and were accorded another reception. We then journeyed by motor ear to White House to meet the President of the United States. Traffic “ cops ” on motor cycles held up all traffic to give our cars a clear run. Each man was presented to the President, who shook every man by the hand. We then returned to the hotel and were the .guests of the National Geographical Society at luncheon. The men were then taken on sight-seeing tours about the city, and that evening the President accompanied the boys to. a theatre to view the moving picture “With Byrd at the South Pole.” We were seated on the stage before an audience of about 6000. Leaving Washington by specinl train r t midnight, we returned to New York, where we found the crowds were as large as on our first arrival.” Mr Paape concludes his letter by stating that he had then made a round of visits to various places with friends, including a visit to Newark, about 25 miles distant from New York. He later went to Pittsburgh to visit relatives. Pittsburgh is known as the city of steel, and’s about 800 miles distant from New York.

As a result of the lighter falls of snow in the mountains thia year it is anticipated that climbing on the icecovered peaks of the Mount Cook region will be difficult this summer (says the Press). This opinion was expressed by one of the guides at the Hermitage the other day, who pointed out that when these peaks had a good covering of snow in the winter the ice remained in good condition all the summer. This winter, however, the fall had been slight, and he anticipated that the ice would be very rough and broken. Conditions for rock climbing, on the other hand, should be all that could be desired.