“MORE COURAGEOUS THAN I.”

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1928, Page 3

“MORE COURAGEOUS THAN I.”

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Dr N I'll) IX- IT e. I

“Wilkins is far more emira-cons than I am.” said Commander Richard FT j’vrd. when discussing the reports that t,lie-famous Australian. airman-explorer is making linal preparations for his dash to the South Role. ”11“ is a daredevil and will take risks which I would no! venture to lake.”

With the exception <>f Sir i Inner! Wilkins’ fiancee Miss Suzanne Rennet, tin Australian nelrnss now in London, it is probable that no one m tbe world is more keenly interested Hum Commander Byrd in the news id \\ Ikin.s’ flight:. A week ago he read m the newspapers that the Australian had had a .successful trial flight over Deception Island, his base. “I am particularly interested in Wilkins’ engines, they are the most reliable obtainable in America,” he said, when discussing his rival’s flight. Though they are rival-: in fact, they are close friends, and they have a personal, as well as a material interest, is each other’s movements. Wilkins has only a small expedition, as liis effort is to fly only over the South Pole from Deception lain nil. in the Weddell Sea. lie will set a < nurse direct for the Pole, and should his flight hg successful, it is possible lie will eontiiuio up the other side' ol the world towards Commander Byrd’s ha.se at the Ray of Whales, in the Ross Sea. Ihe American has already oflered A\ ilkins the use of his base and all other facilities, should he need them.

If Wilkins readies the Pole first and takes the honour of dung Hm first to fly to the “bottom of the world.” Byrd will lie the first to congratulate him.