SOUTH POLE EXPEDITIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3881, 8 December 1928, Page 2

SOUTH POLE EXPEDITIONS.

BYRD’S PROGRESS. Newi York, (December 5. A dispatch from Russell Owen, on board the City of New York, in tow of the Eleanor Bolling, at noon on Wednesday, says: “We are 500 miles south of Tairoa Head. Gentle winds, bright sky and light clouds prevail; in fact, the best weather any Antarctic expedition has ever experienced in this region of fierce gales and high seas. “The City of New York carries not only one of the aeroplanes, but food supplies sufficient for twenty men on the ice for a year, even if the Eleanor Bolling should not return with more materials, thxxs making this self-supporting unit able to function scientifically in all departments, including aviation. “The plan to have the Eleanor Bolling tow the City of New York to the ice has worked ont excellently, in addition to giving us a fair speed during a period of head winds/It also insures for ns a full supply of coal when the icei pack is reached and the Eleanor Bolling turns back.

“The problem! of carrying enough coal on these wooden boats has always been serious. It was Scott’s greatest worry during his last trip through the ice pack.”

WILKINS EXPERIENCING COLD SNAP. London, December 5. Sir Hubert Wilkins sends a wireless message from Deception Island that owing to the high wind and piercing cold, he has abandoned repairing, the damaged ’plane until better weather arrives. “The cold froze our lashes, noses, and finger-tips,” he adds.