POLAR RESEARCH.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17787, 12 August 1929, Page 7

POLAR RESEARCH.

BYRD ENTERTAINED. BROADCAST FROM WELLINGTON. AN EXCELLENT RECEPTION. (By Telegrapn—Pres3 Assn. —Copyright.) I Australian Press Assn. —Uniteit Service i [By Mr. Russell Owen. Copyrighted 1928 by the New York Times Company and the St. Louis Post Dispatch. All rights rtir publication reserved throughout the world. Wireless to the Aew York Times.] BAY OF WHALES, August 9. We heard a Maori festival last evening in New Zealand as plainly as if we had been there, for it was broadcast from Wellington and reached us more clearly than any programme that has come through for a long time. It was so well done that we stayed awake from il p.m. until two o’clock in the morning, and were sorry when it was finished. It represented the history of the Maoris since their landing in New Zealand more than 900 years ago, and. in song and story traced their tribal life, the coming of the English and the final peace between the two races on the common ground of British citizenship. The ancient songs of the Maoris, to the accompaniment of their primitive instruments and chants and dances, reached us perfectly, with all their wild rhythm. They have never had a more appreciative audience, even although it- was an unseen one. We were all in bed, with only candles and a lantern burning, but for the time we seemed far away from the ice. MAWSON EXPEDITION. DISCOVERY LEAVES CARDIFF. ENTHUSIASTIC FAREWELL. (By: Telegraph—Press Assn. —•Copyright.) i«uMljuan Association.! LONDON, August 10. Sir Douglas Mawson’s ship Discovery left Cardiff to-day for Capetown on file first stage of her expedition to the Antarctic. There was a screeching of many sirens from the shipping in portAn Australian Hag at the masthead fluttered In a gentle breeze. The vessel presented a majestic picture as she passed into the Bristol Channel. It was with obvious pride that the officers and crew lined the deck of the Discovery and waved farewell to the crowd of people gathered at the harbour entrance. It was coincidence that the Discovery passed another Australian three-masted ship entering the port. There were mutual greetings as the Discovery glided into the grey mist of the channel. All the members of the crew were well and keen.

The ship was closely searched at the last moment, but no stowaways were found on board.