CRITICISM OF BYRD’S FLIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1929, Page 10

CRITICISM OF BYRD’S FLIGHT

GEOLOGIST’S CONGRATULATIONS.

By Telegraph.—Press Assort..tion.

Wellington, Dec. 5. Mr. T. Ferfar, the geologist in Scott’s first Antarctic expedition from 1901 to 1904, when asked to comment on Major Gran’s cablegram from Copenhagen, Said, with reference to the criticism of Commander Byrd’s flight over the South Pole: “Major Gran is rather severe.' Commander Byrd’s story shows that he and his pilots are> to be heartily congratulated on their successful flight to the South Pole and back. The air surveys and air reconnaissances that are being made will facilitate the work of Dr. Gould and hie geographical party. “Now that Byrd has achieved one of the objects of his expedition he will no doubt carry his explorations eastwards and discover territory to which legitimate claim- may be laid. Major Gran’s remarks -"about the mountain ranges near the Pole are hard to follow. For instance, he talks of some of these ranges being south of the South Pole which, of course, is absurd. It is difficult to understand what he means by saying ‘The land on the whole is . a plain.’ It is well known that the Polar plateau is 9000 feet above the great ice barrier. Moreover, it is buttressed by mountains 12,000 to 15,000 feet high, between which Byrd had to pass on his flight.”