By Balloon to the North Pole.

Manawatu Herald, 3 October 1895, Page 2

By Balloon to the North Pole.

According to a London correspond* denfc there has been a distinct revival in England of public interest in Polar exploits, and probably if there

is one scheme which more than* another strikes the popular iuaagipa-

tion it is that of getting to the Norths Pole in a balloon. It baa -.often- • enough been discussed in the co«jmnß I of the newspapers, like the existence * of the sea serpent, or of the inhdpiF • ;$ ants of Maw, but the majoripy^o^c' * scientific mt>n have agreed in makings" 4 fun of it. It was therefoi*e no snpau event to find the proposal boldly _wt«*. vocated before a congress of jgeo-^ graphnrs by a scientific man, has not merely studied the question^, from every point of view, but ha^ * actually raised the money for af ■ balloon expedition, and is going on

it himself next spring. This i9<lsggf»9 Andr6e, a sturdy Swede, who' nfa the look and manner of an enthusiast, and that kind of confidence Ah *j himself that often enables a man to* work wonders. The savants laughed*'? a good deal at his plans in the Congress, and they laughed still more ' * when they could do so politely behind his back. One of thewaiwa the meeting thus summarised Herr ' Andree's chances : —•« He will never get his balloon to the starting ooint. If he does he will never be alne to i start it. If he succeeds in starting it he will not be able to see anything that is worth noting, and- he will _ never reach the North Pdle.V if W** does reach the North Pole he' Wfll r *

never come back/ Herr Andre's, however, is evidently used to this acs cumulation of objections, especially to the " never- come«back " one, and his cheerful answer to all objectors is that ad all events he intends to gc.