THE POLAR FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1925, Page 3

THE POLAR FLIGHT

AUSTIIAT.IAN AM) N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

TENSION AT SI’ITZRKRGKN. LONDON, May 20. A wireless from the "Fram" on Thursday states : “The tension throughout. the world at the continued absence of news from Amundsen is reflected here. It is a week since the planes disappeared and it seems an eternity. We are keeping a close and intense watch, discussing all the possibilities of the fligliL. The meteorologist, the Tee pilot and the director of the firm which manufactured the aeroplanes, are all plied with questions, but in reply, it is impossible for them to say anything. We are not over anxious as the absolute confidence of the airmen in their planes is too fresh in our minds. We remember. Reiiser Larsen exclaiming mice, “ If the meteorologists only provide Its with 12 hours dear weather, so we could reach the Pole, then we shall manage without them, taking iourteen days for the return, if necessary."

A later message from the “ Frant” says: “The weather has changed unfavourably. The steamer "Hobby " lias been despatched to patrol the ice edge.”

TIIK SHAIK H STAUTS. LONDON. Miiv 2*. Regarding tlu‘ expedition. Llie latest report from t lie "Fram" states:— “Several members of the Expedition daily ascend to the heights at Wellman's Hay, a distance of miles, and gtlze north toward the ice edge, wo have often discussed the possibilities of the two planes bavin" descended in drift ice, and we have considered the question of searching for them, hut Captain Amundsen's orders were clear that the vessels must remain here as; loiij4 as the weather remained clear, I until a fortnight after the start. Then only the ice edge is to he patrolled, I if possible, to North Cape in Northeast [.find.” "We feel that it is impossible that both of the planes can have used all tueir petrol and been compelled to land near Spitsbergen. The consensus of opinion hero is that the good weather has induced the airmen to prolong their stay at the Hole, so as to take complete observations. With the present good weather conditions, it will he some days before we become really anxious, though with each passing day, the possibility increases that the airmen are already on their way to Cape Columbia afoot, if the planes linvc? lioen tluriiiLj the return. “It is also possible that the planes

have been damaged during the return flight, and that the airmen are now walking towards Spitsbergen.” LONDON, May ”7. The? following message, received at London at! a.m. to-day (Friday), dramatically indicates tiiat a change in the weather has precipitated action at Spitsbergen, and that a scroll for Amundsen has begun. Copyright wireless from the “Fram" 7 p.in.—“ Tension here is increasing. The weather is thickening, and clouds are hiding the mountains. Heavy snow is falling. The “flobhv” has been despatched to patrol the ice edge, in accordance with Captain Amundsen’s instructions, in case of had weather.” Algarsson, in an interview at Liverpool, states that he is negotiating for the purchase of an aeroplane for vso if h n goes to Amundson’s rolirf. “It appears,” he says, “that we will have to relinquish our intended flight to Alaska, and concentrate on the res-

cue of Amundsen, f think he is in dWHeultios. We ought to net quickly. It seems to me dear that he has abandoned his planes.” A special message to the Copenhagen “I’olitiken” from its Oslo correspondent, states that the Norwegian Air Shipping Cnion has decided to ask the Government to despatch two naval aeroplanes to Spitsbergen to assist: in the search. The Cnion previously telegraphed for the opinion of Lieut, llorpoit, the Hxpedition's reserve pilot. Morgen replied that a search should begin a fortnight after the start, ns arranged bv Captain Amundson. Norwegian experts undecided. OSLO, May 28. The Norwegian Aero Club discussed preparations for aerial relief for Amundson. The experts contended that it was too early to send rescuers, and that in any ease an airship would bo useless. Flying boats or air ice-ships would he best. It was pointed out that Amundsen might have encountered mist, and been unable to use a sun compass, in which event be would have drifted and landed a long way from the Pole, and would have lost time and petrol in rectifying the error. Bilal:',, the head of the Do rider Works, where the aeroplanes wore made, says: “So far everything has! gone according to programme. We no- j ver ex nee ted Amundsen to return in less than a week or a .fortnight.” AMERICAN RELIEF. NEW YORK, May 28. The ship Charles Brower, stationed at St Lawrence Island, in Behring Sea, is now on her way to Cape Hope, four hundred miles from Point Barrow. Thence an expedition will he sent by trail to Barrow, to await Amundsen, if he returns bv that route. II fS DHOTI I HIPS VIEWS. OSLO, May 28.

Gustav Amundsen. who assisted his brother in tlie preparation for the flight to tlie Pole, says that he would .have been disappointed if his brother had returned immediately after reaching the Pole. He believes that his brother landed 7-1 miles from the pole, and the march there would occupy three days, and it would take a similar time to net hack to their base. This, with the time spent at the Pole and the return (light. would mean tea Therefore he considers that Sunday next is the earliest time they are to he expected hack at Spit/.her gen. He says that Amundsen, however, may spend a longer time at the Pole, because lie desired to do things thorough’. Ho added: “Therefore 1 am not anxious if ho fails to return before the middle of next week. Vmuiidsen. ho thought, would ceitninly return by the same route as he went. There was no possibility that i he was returning via Alaska. Should his machines he wrecked, the only thing to do would be to walk to Cape Columbia. AMUNDSEN FOUND? A RADIO REPORT. MELBOURNE. May ’JO. It is reported that a listener in at broadcasting station “15 h.C.” this afternoon heard a message stating that Amundsen had heen found. “3 1.. C • cannot explain the origin of the message.

REPORT OF UNCERTAIN ORIGIN ) (Received this day at 9 a m.) MELBOURNE, May 29. Regarding the message that Amundsen has been found, later information shows that it was received on the Newman Company's loud speaker. It is not known wl’mt station it came from hut- . England and other stations had at times been picked up. HO SIGN OF AMUNDSEN. LONDON, May 24. The Hobby lias returned to Spitsbergen, but slie saw no sign of the airmen as far as Point Welcome.

LATEST CABLE NEWS