THE POLAR FLIGHT.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1925, Page 3

THE POLAR FLIGHT.

11()\Y A WIFE RFC El A'ED GLAD TIDINGS. [Australia A N.Z. Cable Association. J (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) OSLO. June Ig. Airs I’eiseilarseii -aid: "I never doubted my husband would return for he always believed a flight would succeed. AA’hen Amundsen's representative tele] 'mill'd -“Sunshine," I could do nothing but sit down and try to realise what it meant. Then I tenicinbercd, and the practical precaution was taken of sentencing Ihe children to remain for the rest of the day behind locked doors in order that the news would not be spoilt for the newspapers ; hut I could not possibly keep the glad tidings from the children, lhaL their father was alive, and was returning home! How could Ik" Otio 'Sverdrup, the [Hilar explorer, said: "The thief value of the High! i- the coiilirniation that our theories of the Polar Basin are correct. There is im laud near the Pole and the condition of the ice makes the landing of aeroplanes impossible. Amiimir.cn had to mine down in a water lane and those who know the caprices of the polar ice , realise hew dangerim- tlii- is. Amundsen's aviator- knew, and the landing was even therclmv more u l."tirnUe. Certainly, there i- the deepest disappointment that they did not reach the Pole. Urota a .-porting viewpoint the (light was gli irioits. but apart from that, further wide experiences have been gained fur aeroplanes in the pnlar regions.” Replying to further quest imi- Sverdrup said Im believed other- would now fry to reach the Pole by at r.iplane. but he pointed out the North Pole was mure liillieitll than the Smith Pole. Kv'i'drug continuing -aid: "I believe the best way to reach th- North Pole i- to go l.y ship a- far i • | sihle: then with -ledges and dogs to the Pule and lank to the ship. Far more extensive experience r.iu-t be gathered if an attempt is to le made to liv to the pole in regard lo the landing mi ice or snow. lhe be-l way would L • to -tay tor a .’•" 11 n| at the tmi'tliermno.-l point d Sni;'lielgcn -untying the e'l'ci"! -tea . bill that would r \-t lots oi mourn a.ml time, which latter was impos-ibb m till' light of a. modern race for the Pole." SCIENTIEIC VALUE. OKU). J 1111" 2(>. , , ;• t |„. chief St belli ill" I e-lilts 111 Amundsen's observation.- was the record of extensive masses of mist which existed in Ihe I’clar regions. I, Im- hitherto been believeol that tlic-c mist- were only a local | benoim ua. A wide ocean exists north of Spitzhergen and Amundsen recorded ~ || ol 1 a.nil' metres which led t“ the cont'lu'ion that an ocean existed (|.e triangle between Kp. t zbergen, l.fie North Bile, and North Greenland.