LIFE IN THE ANTARCTIC

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1930, Page 7

LIFE IN THE ANTARCTIC

BYRD’S MEN SATISFIED

Among members of the Byrd Antarctic. expedition the predominant feeling expressed in (heir return was pleasure at being in civilisation again. “Isn’t it great?” they all said as they pointed to the green fields and hush that make such beautiful scenery in Otago HaiCour. Aonther point where there was practically unanimity was on tlie question whether they would go to the Antarctic again.

“it’s like going to see some famous building or picture,” one said. “Once is enough.’’ Another said, “No, I’ve seen it, and I’m not going

again.” From the admiral himself there came a different tale. Asked if the call of the Polar regions was still there, there was no mistaking liis meaning when he said, “Yes, it is.”

TIRED OF ADULATION

“It is a famous health resort,”, said Dr Francis D. Coman, medical director with the expedition. “There was plenty of fresh air, good food and good water. What more could a man want?*? He modestly explained that the dangers of the expedition had been much exaggerated, and that all of them were a little tired of the um ceasing adulation that had been poured upon them. There had been',no sickness worthy of the name. ' The appearance of the party certainly upheld Dr Com ah’s opinion. All the men were fat and in the pink of condition, the cold weather and hard wqrk had apparently agreed

with them. The only exception was Admiral Byrd himself, who • looked pale and tired. He said ho felt fine, but wanted a spell. Mr Harold June, the aviator, who had been with the commander on his flight to the pole, was a picture ol health and was beaming over with cheerfulness, but to get. anything except “yes” or “no” out of him was as. difficult as it would have .been 'to rob him of the cup of tea he . was absorbing when the . attempted interview was made. •

AEROPLANES “KEPT” WELL

The camermen were in their glory. Themselves pictures' of health, they were every where about-the ship, taking pictures of everything and everybody. One of them, .Captain Alton U. Parker, was also one of the pilots on the Polar flight. He paid a great tribute to the aeroplane used by the expedition. As soon as they arrived, Id- months ago, the machines • were buried in the snow,' and when dug out they looked as though they had just (been put away in a proper nangar. The cold there was quite dry and there was not the slightest suspicion of dampness anywhere. The ’planes were wanned up, filled with fuel and after one turn over they started immediately. The cook, George W. Tennant, a cheerful, red-haired individual, who would not be upset by unlimited ice and snow or anything else, modestly declined the [title of the hardestworked man on the ship, but said that he had not had much time to himself. “The boys have to get a cup of tea if they want it,” he said. Seal and whale meat, he said, he had cooked a ton of, and it was “quite nice” to eat as he cooked it, and quite easy to cook, too, but he had never descended so low as to fry a

“As for seals and whales/’ he added, “you wait till I write my cookery book.”

SUCCESS OF WIRELESS

One of the interesting people on board the City of New \ork was Mr R. J. Or bell, of Auckland. He went South in December as a wireless expert, and spent a short time on the ice.

Mr Orbell was much struck by the efficiency of the organisation of the expedition, which, he said, appeared to be complete to the last' detail. As wireless operator he was in touch •with New York qvevy day, and he keen the care and work that had been put into the organisation. They listened to most of the broadcast stations of the world on their receiving syts during the time that he was there. They were very pleased by the programmes put on by the New Zealand Stations, 2YA, Wellington, came in best.

Speaking of his life on the ice, Mr Orbell said that it did no tseem a very abnormal existence, one was dressed for the part, and tli.cj food and general conditions were quite good, but he would not go .again.