CRITICISM OF BYRD

Southland Times, Issue 20949, 5 December 1929, Page 5

CRITICISM OF BYRD

GRAN’S REMARKS DENOUNCED. MR H. G. PONTING IN REPLY. (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) London, December 4. Mr Herbert George Ponting, 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 Major Gran. He says that they can only recoil on himself. “Commander Byrd spent two years preparing for the expedition and established a base on the Great Ice Barrier in December,” says the writer. “His staff includes geologists, meteorologists, and other scientists. The main geological party is now proceeding with dog teams to examine the mountains 500 miles from the base, which Major Gran dismisses as a phantasy. Every Polar explorer knows that this vast range was first discovered by Shackleton. I highly admire Commander Byrd’s and his comrades’ achievement. It was a colossal task. Commander Byrd’s fine wireless tributes to Scott and the other pioneers, his words before Scott’s statue at Dunedin, were a most beautiful and touching tribute from one man to the memory of another.” “IN VERY BAD TASTE.” UNITED STATES CONSUL INTERVIEWED. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, December 4. "Whatever Major Gran’s opinions may be, it is most unfortunate that he gave, public expression to them at the present time,” said Mr H. P. Bridge, the United States Consul at Christchurch, when asked to comment on the Norwegian explorer’s criticism of the pole flight story attributed to Commander Byrd. “I consider his remarks were in very bad taste,” said Mr Bridge, “I am not able to express a competent opinion on the accuracy or otherwise of Commander Byrd’s story, but there is no gainsaying that his flight over the South Pole adds still further to his already formidable "list of achievements.”