POLAR FLIGHT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17569, 20 June 1925, Page 2

POLAR FLIGHT.

MESSAGE FROM AMUNDSEN. “ MANY TIMES THE SITUATION WAS UGLY.” By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received June 20, 2 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. A copyright message from Heimdal, at Spitzbergcn, dated to-day, states:— “Of the six men who participated in the Polar flight, Amundsen shows the most traces of the hardships the party underwent, but others say that this is because Amundsen worked the hardest of all. “ Amundsen says that, on the expedition to the South Pole, he met nothing which couid he compared with that just undergone. He would not have believed such experiences as undergone in the last three weeks could ever have befallen him, and he hopes nobody else will ever have them, adding: ‘ We were literally caught like rats in a trap. Many times the situation was so ugly that we were tempted to throw up the sponge. When finally we started home, everyone realised that it was a case of life and death.’ ” When it was mentioned to Amundsen that the whole world thought he was bound for Cape Columbia, he said: “With the conditions as they are, this would have meant certain death.” Ellsworth is the least changed. Riisor Larsen, Dietrichsen. Omdal and Boucht have alt lost many pounds in weight, but are otherwise quite well.

OSLO EN FETE.

MORE MESSAGES FROM AMUNDSEN. ELLSWORTH TO BACK FRESH ATTEMPT, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. & N.Z. Cable Association. (Received June 20, 2 p.m.) OSLO, June 19. At the opening of the Storthing, the president said he wished to express the sentiments of all on the occasion of the safe return of Amundsen and his brave comrades from a

daring journey on which they had staked their lives. A telegram was accordingly sent to Amundsen, welcoming him and his courageous comrades home, and thanking him for the courage and energy he had shown for the benefit of research, and the honour of his country. The whole of Oslo is beflagged to celebrate the occasion and numerous authorities, institutions and associations have sent Amundsen congratulatory telegrams. Amundsen is determined to resume his attempt to reach the Pole. He declares that the experience he has gained will enable him to attain his goal. Other members of the expedition expressed the opinion that important scientific results have been achieved. Mr Lincoln Ellsworth, the American member of the expedition, whose father largely helped to finance the expedition, was grieved to hear that his father had died while the expedition was in the Arctic. He said his money, in future, would be at Amundsen’s disposal.