SIR G. H. WILKINS.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17585, 14 December 1928, Page 6

SIR G. H. WILKINS.

A great explorer who is likely to come into the public eye very much during the next few months is Captain Sir George Hubert Wilkins, who, with Lieutenant Carl Eielson, is attempting to forestall Commander Byrd in his flight to the South Pole, though he docs not exactly say so. Sir George Wilkins is an Australian who earned his knighthood, which he received last June on the occasion of the King's Birthday honours, as a result of some sensational Polar flights. Recently he performed an epochal air journey over the North Pole, from Point Barrow, Alaska, to Spilzbcrgcn. He had made two previous attempts, one in May, 1926, and the other a year later. By no manner of means a stunt flight, Captain Wilkins' successful third attempt will be of great scientific value meteorologically and geographically, and is in keeping with his previous record as an aviator and explorer. His adventurous career began some sixteen years ago, when at the age of 23 or 24 he was photographic correspondent with the Turkish troops in the Balkan War, and later left for the Arctic with Stefansson. On this trip he ostensibly went as a camera man, but finished by relieving the engineer and making an almost unbelievable trip with the ships Mary Sachs and Polar Star across the Arctic Sea to establish contact with his chief. Then the Great War took Sir George from his life among the frozen spaces to the front, where lie was twice mentioned in despatches and won the .Military Cross and bar. After the Armistice Captain Wilkins went back to Gallipoli for more photographs, and made two South Polar expeditions (one with Shacklcton) : did special service work in Russia for the British Government, and explored the heart of Australia and the islands near at hand on behalf of the British Museum of Natural History. After two unsuccessful attempts to make "the north-west passage" by air, he succeeded, for which he received u knighthood and the Empire's thanks, but is still unsatisfied. He is now heading an Antarctic expedition, .with the idea of flying a seaplane eastward from the Ross Sea to Graham's Land, the purpose being to establish twelve Antarctic meteorological stations for forecasting weather conditions in inhabited regions of the globe years in advance, observations to be .taken over one sunspot cycle of eleven years. If the South Polar flight is .successful, New Zealand may have a chance of welcoming as distinguished a man as Australia has produced.