BYRD EXPEDITION IS HARD UP, SAYS MR R. G. BROPHY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18641, 19 December 1928, Page 10

BYRD EXPEDITION IS HARD UP, SAYS MR R. G. BROPHY.

VERY GRATEFUL FOR HELP GIVEN THEM IN NEW ZEALAND.

Mr Richard G. Brophy, second in command of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, is in Christchurch to-day, having arrived from Wellington this morning. Immediately the two ships of the expedition had left Dunedin Mr Brophy put four men in charge of the stores business there, and proceeded to Wellington. While there he had an interview with the Prime Minister and attended the first meeting of Cabinet to tender the thanks of the Byrd expedition for all the help they had received from the Government. Mr Brophy stated this morning that the expedition had received much help in New Zealand, and were very grateful for it. In \Vellington and Dunedin people had donated some very fine beef and mutton, and the large farmers seemed to take a pride in giving. Since the expedition was already £SOOO below its present financial resources it can readily be understood why they are grateful. “ People seem to think we are made of money,” said Mr Brophy, “ although we are having a real struggle to get along. When we ask a price for doing a job they make some ridiculous quote, and it’s hard to convince them that we can’t pay these prices.” The New York representative of the expedition is still receiving voluntary contributions, which have amounted to £IO,OOO since the ships left America. Good Progress Made. Mr Brophy says that Commander Bvrd and himself are very pleased with the good start made for the Antarctic from Dunedin. He thinks that they have been very fortunate in the weather and ice conditions encountered. When the Eleanor Bolling reaches Dunedin again she will go into dry dock to be fitted with a new propeller, which it is hoped will increase her speed. The cost is £I6OO. She will then load three aeroplanes, a Ford Snowmobile, 10,000 gallons of petrol and considerable quantities of kerosene and lubricating oils. A Cletrac caterpillar type snow tractor is on board the City of New York. When the Eleanor Bolling makes her second trip she will carry a Baby Austin car, fitted up similarly to the Ford, but designed for passenger use only. All the most essential parts of the equipment have gone on the City of New York, which is by itself a complete expedition—one aeroplane, 2500 gallons of petrol and oils, eighty-five dogs and sleds, and food, tents and clothing to serve twenty men for a year. This complete and central unit was towed south for 1000 miles by the Eleanor Bolling, which transferred eighty-seven tons of coal and ten tons of fresh meat before she set back again. It is notable that the Byrd expedition is the first of its kind to carry a refrigerating plant for holding its meat supply. Plans for the Winter. When the Eleanor Bolling makes her first trip south to the base of the expedition, probably about January 1, she will take food and equipment to last eighty men eighteen months. Then, when the Antarctic winter sets in, both she and the City of New York will return to New Zealand. One of them, probably the Eleanor Bolling, will be docked at Dunedin, and the other may take both crews for a cruise north. Soundings may be made in certain parts of the Pacific, with calls at Auckland, Honolulu and Sydney.