FLIGHT TO THE POLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 28 April 1925, Page 7

FLIGHT TO THE POLE.

Captain Amundsen’s / Progress. MESSAGE FROM KING’S BAY. By Cable—Frees Association—Copyright. Australian and f 1.2!. Cablo Association. LONDON, April 26. Captain Amundsen, in a wireiess message from King’s Bay, says the work of assembfing the planes is proceeding satisfactorily. Both planes are now. ashore, with' the engines fixed, and have been tried with excellent results. They started easily.,despite the bitter cold. The only work remain l ' ing is to fix the wings in position. Provided the unforeseen does not occur, the'planes should be ready for the trial flight on Saturday week. The meteorologist and wireless operators aboard the Fram are busy receiving weather reports. Special notices are being received via Washington and Stavanger. It was unfortunately found impossible to receive direct messages ficm St. Paul, Behring Strait. Several balloons are, sent up daily to determine the direction and velocity of the lijgher winds. When the planes are finished; the observations of temperature moisture at a height of 3000 metres will be concluded. f

“Ellsworth, both pilots and r.iVself are daily testing the instruments,"and making with a view to gaining practice in the methods of navigation to be used during the flight. After clear bitterly cold weather during the last few days, conditions are now mild, cloudy and foggy.”