FROM THE SOUTH

Southland Times, Issue 22510, 19 February 1935, Page 7

FROM THE SOUTH

BYRD’S PARTY ARRIVES

LEADER INTERVIEWED

TOUCH OF ROMANCE

(Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, February 18. Two days earlier than expected, the Byrd expedition ship Jacob Ruppert was sighted off the Heads shortly after mid-day. An hour and a-half later the vessel arrived at Port Chalmers, and after the medical examination which found a clean bill of health, proceeded to Dunedin, reaching her berth here at 4 p.m. An official reception was extended to the leader and his party by the Mayor, the Rev. E. T. Cox, the acting chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr John Louden, and members of the Civic Committee and Harbour Board. After a sojourn in the Antarctic extending over 12 months, the members of the expedition were obviously delighted to m,ake contact once again with civilization, and though bearded and bewhiskered, were fresh complexioned, healthy and cheerful. Few, if any, appeared to have suffered from the rigours of the polar regions, but when it is remembered that they enjoyed no company save their own for more than a year, it can well be imagined that they greeted land ana the sight of new faces with feelings ot heartfelt gratitude. Rear-Admiral Byrd, in an interview, said the main function of the expedition had been to ascertain whether there was any connection between Marie Byrd land and the main Antarctic Continent. As a result of the work of the expedition they were now satisfied that the existence of such connecting link had been definitely established. A great deal of scientific work of great value had been accomplished, but the full results of this would not be available for at least three years, owing to the necessity for correlating information gathered. The expedition had left behind a large quantity of food and housing material which would be available for any future expedition. Rear-Admiral Byrd, who leaves for Auckland to-morrow morning to meet Mrs Byrd, who is due there on Friday, added that he was not prepared to discuss the question whether he proposed to undertake any further polar exploration. “I have now completed four major expeditions without the loss of a single life,” he said. “That is what I regard as the high light of my exploring experience. “At the same time,” he added, modestly, “it is due to a special act of Providence, and not to any actual skill of my own.” The expedition enjoyed fresh milk as a regular article of diet at the Bay o' Whales. However, of the three cows taken south, one succumbed to the rigours of the Antarctic, while the two others, together with a bull calf bom in the far south, are now on board and in good condition. It is of some interest to speculate on the commercial value of these animals and especially the calf by the time they reach America. Also on board travelling in luxury in a special ice chamber are 37 penguins, 17 of the Emperor variety and 20 of the Adele variety. So far they have stood the voyage to the United States splendidly. In interviews the geological members of the party state that no minerals of commercial value were found in the Antarctic. Traces were discovered of lead and molybdenite, as well as extensive deposits of coal in the Queen Maud area, but their inaccessibility is the chief barrier to value. A touch of romance was associated with the arrival of the expedition. While the Jacob Ruppert was still some distance from the point of berthage, Dr T. C. Poulter, second in command, had hired a special launch and was speeding towards Port Chalmers where he met Miss Helen Gray, to whom he proposed to be married the same night. Bringing characteristic American hustle to. bear on the preliminaries, Dr Poulter was so successful that less than four hours after his arrival his marriage was celebrated in the manse of the First Presbyterian Church, RearAdmiral Byrd giving the bride away. Dr Poulter met Miss Gray while he was a professor at the lowa Wesleyan College and she later assisted him in scientific works. She has been in Dunedin some time in charge of Dr Poulter’s three children of his former marriage. The pair have been in touch by radio throughout the expedition and it is understood the marriage arrangements were made over the air.

EARLIER MESSAGE MEN DISCARD OLD CLOTHES. (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Montreal, February 17. A message from the Jacob Ruppert states that at noon to-day the vessel was 240 miles from Dunedin. The Bear of Oakland was about 160 miles astern. Preparations were being made to dock the Jacob Ruppert on Monday afternoon and the Bear of Oakland the following day. The men were becoming excited at the prospects of seeing land for the first time in fifteen months. Ragged beards were being trimmed and nondescript clothes good enough for Antarctic wear were being thrown overboard as the end of the adventurous phase neared. Rear-Admiral Byrd expressed satisfaction that the dangerous operations had been carried out without a single fatal casualty and no serious injuries or sickness. The men added their satisfaction that the leader himself had performed the most hazardous task of maintaining the advance base from which he recovered only after a serious illness.