GESTURE OF GOODWILL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20238, 23 February 1934, Page 7

GESTURE OF GOODWILL.

New Zealand’s Assistance to Byrd Expedition. Per Pres* Association. WELLINGTON, February 23. “ It was a marvellous experience, and I would not have missed it for worlds,” said Mr B. R. O’Brien, a Wellington solicitor, who accompanied Rear-Ad-miral R. E. Byrd to the ice barrier in the Jacob Ruppert. He said that just before the Jacob Ruppert returned, Rear-Admiral Byrd asked him to convey to New Zealand his deepest appreciation of the many kindnesses, hospitality and assistance received in New Zealand. He considered this assistance was a great gesture of friendship and goodwill as from New Zealand to America. Rear-Admiral Byrd’s fine courage, leadership, and particularly consideration for his men, were at all times an inspiration to the whole expedition. Mr O’Brien’s particular reason for making the trip was to sing on the radio programmes. These were being broadcast on short-wave to America. He said he could not miss such a unique opportunity to do what he could to advertise the Dominion. On his last broadcast he sang three Maori songs, it being previously announced that he was a New Zealander and that the songs were the untouched folk songs of the Maori people. It was just after this that he had a great disappointment, for Rear-Admiral Byrd asked him to join the ice party for the winter for the purpose of radio, and also to collaborate in the dramatisation of a film. Owing to the fact that he had left Wellington only on two days’ notice it was quite impossible to arrange matters.