NORTH POLE EXPEDITION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1870, 29 August 1918, Page 4

NORTH POLE EXPEDITION.

AEROPLANES AND WIRELESS. A FIVE YEARS’ DRIFT. The world-famed Norwegian Polar explorer, M.■ Roald Amundsen, has set out on ins new expedition. He left Christiania on June 25th on his new ship the Maud. Up to the last moment he and his men were busily engaged in the preparation for the journey, which have been proceeding for the last three weeks, since he returned to Norway from a successful lecturing tour in America on his impressions at the British and French fronts. The Maud is extraordinarily strong in construction, the hull being three feel in thickness. Her equipment has been carefully thought out, and is of the most complete description, thanks in great measure to the American Government, which permitted the export of everything M. Amundsen required. The stores carried are more than .sufficient for five years, and at a pinch, with the aid of rationmg, would lasi for seven years. So far there is no rationing, (except as regards intoximating liquors, which .arc only to he allowed in small quantities on Wednesdays and Sundays at dinner, and on Saturday ’evenings, when grog will be served out. The reason for this restriction is that temperance has proved the best system to adopt in Polar regions. The saloon is simply but tastefully burnished. On the walls are portraits of members of the Swedish Royal famill, and over the table hangs a great Polar map. The Maud will follow the route taken by the Fram, along the Siberian coast to Dickson Island, where 30,000 litres of oil have been stored, and a number of dogs arc in readiness to bo taken on board. She then continues along the coast, and after the Siberian Islands have been rounded she enters the ice about 240 sea miles to the east, parallel with Nansen’s route.

EXPLORER’S FLANS

M. Amundsen calculates that, lie will commence drifting over Hie Polar basin on the ice Ibis autumn, perhaps by the middle of September. If not it will be necessary to winter on the Siberian coast. He believes that be will not meet with land in the Polar basin, and anticipates that the ship will drift out of the ice between Spitsbergen and Greenland. The expedition, under the most favourable conditions, may lie brought to an end in three years’ lime, but he is prepared to hold out if necessary Cor seven years. The chief object in view is the scientific exploration of the ocean and 'atmosphere of the Polar regions. M. Amundsen regards the reaching of the North Pole as a matter of minor interest,, but if the opportunity presents itself be will not omit to plant the Norwegian Hag there. Aeroplanes and a wireless telegraph installation will be used for scientific observe lion. An excellent magnetic outfit lias been received from the Carnegie Institution of America. The expedition is calculated to cost 1,000,000 kyroner (£50,250), of which one-Hflh is paid by the Stale, one-leuth by M. Amundsen’s friends, and the rest by M. Amundson himself, (his representing his total fortune. Novel features will be observations with regard to. the higher strata of the atmosphere by means of balloons amFkites and the photographing of the Northern Lights after a method devised by Professor Stormer. M. Amundsen lakes special charge of the magnetic observations.

A case of suitable light work which a returned soldier carried on, for a lime, was mentioned in a letter read daring the consideration of certain business lief ore the executive of the Taranaki Provincial War Relief Association. It was said that the man worked from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m., during which time he milked 28 cows, took (he milk to the Jaciory, fed calves and pigs, dug ball: a ton of feed, cleaned drains, did one or two other things, and then had another turn at the 28 cows. For this the remuneration was 15s per week. The man was now looking for another job better suited to bis taste.