THE NORTH POLE

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4459, 7 September 1909, Page 2

THE NORTH POLE

Copenhagen, September 5. Dr. Frederick A. Cook, finder of the North Pole, met with a tremendous reception on his arrival at Copenhagen from Lerwick to-day. In reply to critics he declared that he had deposited proofs of the journey in a sealed tube on the place where the Pole was located, namely, ice which is drifting eastwards. In an interview the explorer stated that he struck out west from Greenland on his dash for the Pole and then northward.

London, September 5, Admiral Nares, who headed several expeditions in search of the Pole, his most important being that of 1872, points out many reasons for scepticism, and blames Dr Cook for taking Perry’s Esquimaux whom Perry had kept alive and trained for years* This was done apparently without consulting Perry or attempting .1 Q see Perry on his return from ther Pole.

New York, September 5, President Taft has cabled ©1 Cook at Copenhagen as follows Your report that you reached the Pole calls for heartiest congratula-* tions, and stirs the pride of Americans that a feat which has so long baffled thß world feas been accomplished by the inWligence, energy and wonderful endurance of a fellow countryman-” The manager of Luna Park, the famous Cony Island resort, cabled Dr. Cook offering £50,000 for a series of 250 lectures in America. Nkw York, September 5.

Bradley, who bore the greater part of the expense of £19,000 involved in Cook’s expedition, in an mtei <iew stated that the details of Cook’s equipment was kept strictly a secret, in order to forestall Commander Perry, who left by the same route a year later. He states that Cook had a valuable sextant made of aluminium to ensure ’'gbtness, several compasses, an “ artificial horizon ” barometer, some theunometers, charts, 5000 gallons gasolene, coal sufficient for three years, sledges made of hickory, 1000 gallons of alcohol, 25 guns, which were given as presents, biscuits, axes, tobacco and other things dear to the heart of the Esquimaux, as well as 10,000 boxes of matches; for there is scarcely anything the Arctic dweller appreciates as high .y. He added that the co’lapsible canvas boat w ith which Cook was prodded enabled him to cross the lakes of water obstructing the course of the dog sledges. He declared they could easily cover 60 miles a day over reasonably good ice.