GLAMOUR OF ADVENTURE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1929, Page 11

GLAMOUR OF ADVENTURE

NEGRO BOY FOLLOWS BYRD

WITHOUT FOOD FOR THREE DAYS.

NOW TO JOIN RELIEF SHIP'S STAFF

(By Wire —Special io News.) Auckland, Last Night.

Obsessed with one great ambition, that of being the first of hie race to reach the South Pole, and telling how he has already passed through more adventures’ in six months than the ordinary man meets in a lifetime to fulfil that ambition, a negro orphan boy arrived in Auckland this morning on his way to join Commander Richard Byrd. Known to his shipmates as the “smilling South Pole boy,” Robert White Lanier wore his broadest smile and radiated his happiest spirit as he leaned over the rails of the steamer Golden State this morning. Commander Byrd has already brought news of Robert’s persistence and ultimate success in signing on as a/member of the great explorer’s expedition, but in an interview with a Sun man this morning the boy himself disclosed the interesting and enthralling story of his adventures during which he stowed away on the City of New York and for three days defied the pangs of hunger and torture of thirst, and how, after proving his character to doubting authorities, he tramped across the great American continent to be rescued from death in Nevada Desert and finally ship as mess boy on Che Golden State.

“Eight mohths ago I knew the Commander Byrd by name only, having read of him in books,” said the boy. “Since the age of 11 I have belonged to the American Boy Scout movement. It was that movement that inspired me to take on some- great adventure, and when Commander Byrd decided to make his trip to the Pole I made up my mind to follow him. I tried every honest way to go with the Byrd expedition, but Jny only chance was to stow away. This I eventually did for three days without food or water. I also withstood cyanide fumes which were being used to fumigate the ship at the time. “This won the admiration of Commander Byrd and he agreed to sign me on the articles provided I made good.” At Panama, however, the boy was sent back to New York as, he said, Commander Byrd had- received false reports that the boy’s character was not good. At New York lie obtained credentials and with these he worked his way across, the American continent, mostly on fooL->to get a job on a steamer on the Pacific coast. At San Francisco the boy joined the Golden State and now he is making for Dunedin to join Commander Bvrd’s ship Eleanor Bolling on her next trip to the Antarctic.