WILKINS IN BRITAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 655, 6 May 1929, Page 9

WILKINS IN BRITAIN

ANTARCTIC TASK WILL TAKE YEARS SOUTH IN SEPTEMBER (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 11.5 a.m. LONDON, Sunday. Sir Hubert Wilkins, Interviewed on his arrival from New York, said that at present he was marking time until September, when he will return to the Antarctic to pick up the equipment left stored on Deception Island. “It must be recognised that the present work was of a preliminary character," he said- “The task 1 have set myself involves from 10 to 15 years’ labour. After completion of the geographical work this year, and making one more trip to the Arctic, I will be able to proceed with my real plans. My ambition is to establish 12 observation stations." Sir Hubert Wilkins leaves New York in September to join the Norwegian whalers at Montevideo for a trip to the south. He will roach his headquarters in November. It is proposed to explore 2,500 miles of the coast between Grahamland and the Ross Sea. Tbe next flight will bring Sir Hubert Wilkins to Commander Byrd's headquarters, thus joining up the work. A British Official Wireless message says that on his last Antarctic trip Sir Hubert explored 1,200 miles of coastline, discovering 20 islands, two channels and one strait.