IN THE ANTARCTIC.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17837, 9 October 1929, Page 5

IN THE ANTARCTIC.

EVERYTHING IN READINESS FOR THE LONG TREK. AWAITING FINER WEATHER. [By Mr. Russell Owen. Copyrighted 1928 by the New York Times Company and the St. Louis Post Dispatch. All rights for publication reserved throughout the world. Wireless to the New York Times.] (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) BAY OF WHALES, Oct. 7. As soon as a break in the weather comes and a few warm days can be expected the dog teams of the first party will go South. The supporting party will also leave the base and start their difficult journey over the heavedup bay ice, which in some places has been forced 50 feet skyward. They are ready to go, but it has been unusually cold this spring, and the start will not he over-rushed. The sleds are being packed and everything is being brought together, so that ther e will he as little delay as possible when Commander Byrd gives word for the long hike.

Last night it was 43 degrees below zero. It has been much cooler than when Amundsen started on his Polar journey on October 19. Work on the planes is proceeding steadily. The snow is being shovelled from round the Fairchild, and the wings arc being installed. The planes are being left wltti landing gear in the hole where they have been all the winter, so firmly frozen in that a storm would tear the wings off without moving the skis, hut such a storm is not anticipated here, where wind velocities do not reach the intensity experienced at Rockefellow Mountains last summer, when the Fokkcr was blown away. The Planes Ready. Tlie engine of the plane is tuned, and the carburetter has been taken out, adjusted and cleaned, and If it becomes necessary to go to the assistancc of the dog teams at any time the plane will he ready to fly. Everyone is anxious to see it in the air again, hut it will lie weeks before good flying weather can lie expected. This is a season of storms and sudden changes in weather conditions, and down here when the wind blusters it blusters quickly and with authority.