The Te Puke Times FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1934 .

Te Puke Times, 6 April 1934, Page 2

The Te Puke Times FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1934 .

THE decision of Rsar Admiral Byrd to spend the long night of several months at the expedition’s winter base on the floss Ice Bir'rier, without any com panton s has occasioned a good deal of cOjOiment. A man of Admiral Byrd’s experience doubtless has good reasons for his action, but to the average person it would appear that he is running a very grave risk in Isolating himself en tirefy from other members of his orew, The intense solitude inseparable from a long stay in a shack in an Antarctic waste without the possibility of communicating with one’s fellow men is enough to try the nerves of the strongest. It is stated that the great adventurer has been coached in radio communication and meteorological observations, but he admits that he is no radio expert and that the radio will probably fail. It would appear therefore that there will ha little chance of his gatting in touch with his men. Moreover, there is always the danger of illness or accident, and his position in the event of such a mishap, without any assistance at hand, would be most serious' His decision may also be viewed from another aspect, that, as leader of the expedition, he has a Oe.rtain responsibility for the safety of the metnberß of his staff and Crew and that he is scarcely Justified in absenting himself and thus depriving them of his advice and experience in the perils with which they are surrounded One can only hope that his determin ation to spend the winter night in absolute seclusion will b 9 for the best, and that in October nrxt the gallant commander will emerge from his hut safe and sound and Capable of carrying on the exploration so dear to his heart.