IN ANTARCTICA.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17953, 24 February 1930, Page 5

IN ANTARCTICA.

WIRELESS IRREGULARITIES WILD DOGS DISCOVERED. ROAMING ON KERGUELEN ISLAND. (All rights reserved.)

MELBOURNE, Feb. 22

“During the week while the Din - covery has been at Royal Sound, Kerguelen Island, to have her boilers chipped, radio communication has been limited, as the only power available was a small auxiliary motor run for a short period daily. Now full power has been restored, but we are still unable to establish free wireless touch with Australia. The same effect of scerening from eastern localities was experienced when we were here last, although the difficulty does not exist a few miles away from Kerguelen Island. During the voyage the wireless operator (Williams) met many other curious irregularities in radio distribution. For example, we have been within 2000 miles of the Byrd expedition, on the opposite side of the Antarctic Continent, yet have never been able to communicate directly with It. Coaling is now advanced and the engine overhaul should be completed on February 21. “Meanwhile tli e scientific staff, though hampered by hurricane winds, lias been busy ashore mapping and collecting. A number of white Samoyed dogs in line fettle have been sighted. They are reported to be the descendants of sledge dogs left by the Gauss expedition in 1902. They are destructive lo birds and seals.”

CITY OF NEW YORK’S PROGRESS

CITY" OF NEW YORK, Feb. 22

It is now Sunday, because we omitted Saturday on crossing the 180th degree of longitude. The City of New York is now 264 miles northwest of Discovery Inlet. W c brought back every living dog, from old veterans to Hie smallest puppies born in Antarctica. They played a key role, although aviation was Hie outstanding success of the expedition.

One of our best dogs, Chinook, went off into the white wilderness on his 12th birthday, and never returned.

MESSAGE FROM DOMINION.

(By Telegraph—l’ross Association.)

WELLINGTON, Saturday

The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, has forwarded to Rear-Admiral Byrd the following message on behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand:—“l wish to express our real pleasure at the safe departure from the Antarctic of yourself and ihe members of your expedition, and our keen anticipation of receiving you again in the Dominion.”

RETURN OF WILKINS.

RECEPTION AT MONTEVIDEO,

United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel.—Copyright.

MONTEVIDEO, February 22

Sir Hubert Wilkins has arrived at Montevideo in a hydro-airplane with Chessman. They left the steamer Henrik Ibsen when about 125 miles from port, and flew hero in a little more than an hour.

A reception was given for the explorer by the staffs of the American and British Embassies and the Uruguayan authorities. Their steamer is expected later in the day with the other members of the expedition.