THE NORTH POLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 487, 30 September 1909, Page 3

THE NORTH POLE.

New York, September 27.

Mr Caspar l Whitney, the millionaire sportsman and explorer, who met Dr Cook in the Polar regions as the latter was returning from his conquest, states that Commander Peary would not allow anything belonging to Dr. Cook to be brought aboard the s.s. Roosevelt (Peary’s ship). Mr Whitney adds: “I was forced to leave Cook’s box and articles in a cache at Etah.”

Commander Peary justifies his relusal to allow what he calls Dr Cook’s “ stuff ” aboard the Roosevelt, statiug that he was aware of Dr Cook’s intention to claim the discovery of the Pole. He was therefore determined not to aid the project. Mr Whitney states that Dr Cook knew the relief ship Roosevelt was coming north, but owing to bis strained relations with Commander Peary, he preferred not to wait, but to go on to the Danish settlement.

Professor McMillan, one of Commander Peary’s expedition, stales that be found a huge rock split open by the frost, bearing a perfect imprint of a great tropical fern. The petrified stump of the tree was 18 indies in diameter. Fossil remains of tropical animals were also found near Black Cape. In latitude 81 degrees, fine coal seams were located.