DR NANSEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5568, 18 May 1896, Page 3

DR NANSEN.

Mr Emil Blaauw, of Wellington, is a personal friend of the explorer Nansen, now searching for the North Pole, and sends the Post the following notes in reference to the intrepid voyager,- Mr Fritjoff Nansen was born at the family's beautiful residence . called Store Frden, half an hour's walk from Christiania. His father was practising as a solicitor in Christiania, which profession it was intended Mr Fritjoff and hia brother Mr Alexander should follow. The two brothers were educated at Gjertsen's School, where I had the pleasure of being in the same class with them. Mr Fritjoff Nansen, who is now a man of about thirty-six years of age, was, even in his boyhood, one of th© best athletes in our national Norwegian winter sports, such as snow skates, and waa very powerful and hardy as a young man, besides being powerfully built,, and was of a quiet, reserved [ disposition, and a favourite amongst us. !On my visit to 1 Christiania last year I had a long conversation with his brother, Mr Alexander Nansen, who is now practising as a solicitor there, and as both brothers are married to English ladies, our conversation was in' English— a great relief for me after so long absence. He informed me he had then not heard a word from his brother for about six months,, and did not know if he was alive or dead. It is a great satisfaction for his many friends to know that a better man than Mr Fritjoff Nansen to lead such an expedition, with reference to physique, education- and endurance would be hard' to find.