LATER.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17385, 23 April 1928, Page 5

LATER.

FURTHER PROJECTS. CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE. DREAM OF THE AGES. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received April 23. 9.30 a.m). NEW YORK, April 21. According to information available here, Captain Wilkins intended, if his Spitsbergen flight was successful, to leave next, September for an Antarctic expedition, flying in a seaplane eastward from Ross Sea' to Graham’s Land, about 3000 miles south of Cape Horn, iiis purpose being to establish twelve Antarctic meteorological stations for the forecasting of weather conditions in the inhabited regions of the globe years in advance. The observations would be taken over one sunspot cycle uf eleven years. Captain Wilkins said the economicvalue of such forecasts would he immense. It would eliminate sufferings from famine and droughts and prevent food speculation on a large scale. It is known that one of Captain Wilkins’ aspirations is the circumnavigation of the Pacific, on the basis of a series of 2000-mile hops, over a distance of 16,000 miles, with stops at Los Angeles, Seattle, Alaska, Tokio, Australia, New Zealand, Ross Sea, Graham’s Land, and Cape Horn. That "dream of the ages,” the north-west passage across the world, has been brought nearer practical achievement through the pioneering of Captain Wilkins, said Vilhjalmur Stefansson, the Arctic explorer, picturing the Pole as the crossroads, where future continent to continent caravans would meet, and shortening the distances by hundreds of miles. Mr A. M. Smith, of the 1927 expedition, said, “Captain Wilkins’ flight will mean much lo meteorology. Captain Wilkins is not interested in stunt flying; he has set out to make a definite contribution to science.” VERY IMPORTANT FEAT. FOOD SUPPLIES LOW. SUCCOURED BY WHALE FISHERS. FLIGHT TO BE RESUMED. (Received April 23. 11.5 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, April 22. When Captain Wilkins was compelled to land at Dauholen lie had little food. Fortunately whale fishers sighted the machine and fliers Iron: Green Island went lo their aid in a boat, and replenished tlicir food supplies. The whalers were astonished to learn that the aviators had flown from Alaska. When they reached Green Island the temperature was several degrees below zero. Captain Wilkins said they were tremendously hungry. Captain Wilkins hopes to complete the flight to Hie, European mainland presently, provided Ihc machine, will permit. It is understood lo he in good condition, • according to a radio message from Green Harbour. Everywhere the l’eat is regarded as of the greatest importance as it will enable the geographers to fill in maps of the Arctic Circle —the great white space between Hie Norlh of Canada and the North of Siberia.