BYRD EXPEDITION DOGS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1929, Page 8

BYRD EXPEDITION DOGS

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING. WELLINGTON, April 27. Tile question of whether the dogs of the Byrd expedition in quarantine on Quaii Isiaml shall he brought to the mainland lor work on the Tasman Glacier is still unsettled. '■ he matter is being very carefully in. vestigated prior to a decision being given by the Government. There appears to be ample legal authority to meet the objections of sheep-owners wtio fear that these animals are dangerous to flocks, and, in any event, jf they were released this could only he done nine months after their departure from Canada, a period ending in July next. Air A. Jnnis-Taylor, representing Commander Byrd, is in Wellington for the purp.se of negotiating for the release of the sledge teams, but a very modern touch is given to the discussion by the fact that the Prime Aliniser, in his Wellington office, is in touch direct with Commander Byrd in the Antarctic through the medium of short-wave radio. Former Antarctic explorers uissed out of civilisation’s range, but. Commander Byrd, though in the Antarctic, is not inaccessible, and can place bis views before the New Zealand Prime Minister, who next week will be able to wireless bis official answer to the Polar region. BYRD'S DOG TEAMS. TO BE WORKED ON TASMAN GLACIER, AY ELLINGTON, April 29. The Prime .Minister has concluded negotiations with Commander Byrd over the introduction of the expedition’s sledging dogs to the New Zealand mainland, and the result has been communicated to Commander Byrd’s ha.se in Little America in the Antarctic. ’1 he Government cannot relax the quarantine regulations safeguarding against the introduction of disease inti New Zealand, hut is prepared to recognise a certificate that the dogs were free from disease on their shipment from Canada, and when the quarantine period from this date has expired the dogs can he taken to .Mount Cook ior work oil the Tasman Glacier. “This’is the best we can do for the expedition,” remarked Sir Joseph Ward, “and three months from now the‘dogs can get into the snow country. They will be kept well away from sheep territory, under the close supervision of export team men and confined entirely to the snow country. Wo. considered carefully the possibility of prejudicing sheep owners before coming to a decision, and, while anxious to give every lacility to Commander livid, this is the best we can do.”