Morris tribune., 1908-12-12
NORWAY.

NORWAY.
It is reported on good authority that
King Haakon and Queen Maud will
practically finance the Amundsen
north polar exposition. Some time
ago the explorer succeeded in interest
ing the king in his venture and the
king Immediately subscribed 5000
crowns. Now it seems that he him.
self has not only grown more inter
ssted in Mr.. Amundsen's determined
attempt to reach the pole, but has also
succeeded in interesting the queen,
who has also donated a substantial
sum of money in the hope that one of
her subjects may make the much
talked of discovery. When one re.
views the enormous sums of money
that have been spent by Norway and
other countries in fitting out expedi-
tions for this presumably ice filed
space of the globe, it would seem an
altogether useless outlay of money
when science has already got it pret-
ty well figured out that the north pole
can be nothing more than field of ice
Or an open space of water. Yet in
Norway scientists all over the coun.
try are taking a great interest In the
possible discovery of the north pole.
and nearly every student at the uni
versity has been at least inspired to
think upon this vastless, possibly
wasteless subject Roald Amundsen,
who made the northwest passage. has
or;x- oe ;,, 6o
principal cities of Europe and Amer
lea, has made nice little sum of
money, but he now stands ready to
risk it all in a t'slow-but-sure" dash
for the pole. Tt will be interesting to
follow Mr. Amundsen at all events, for
and if courage and tenacity of pur-
pose count for anything, we can ex-
pect good results, at least most in
teresting lecture, when he returns.
There is a determined effort to ad-
vertise the winter attractions in Nor
way. Plans are being made to in
crease the number of winter tourists
and therefore lot of advertising mat
ter will be sent to foreign countries.
The ski sports is one of the attractions
which will be especially advertised as
it is one of the most exhilarating and
thrilling sports offered at this season
of the year The tourist traffic during
the summer months was the best on
record for number of years. They
also spent money freely and large
number of these people have signified
there intention of coming to Norway
again. The tourist business is assuni
ing immense proportions in Norway
and hundreds of people are relying on
the tourist traffic solely for receiving
a livelihood.
Dr. Olaf Christie, one of Christiana's
leading physicians, was run over the
other day by a heavy truck wagon,
sustaining broken nose, several brok.
en- ribs and broken leg. He was
taken to the city hospital, where it is
reported that he is in very critical
condition. The driver Of the wagon
whipped up his horses Immediately
after the accident had occurred and
has not since been located.
The Drammen-Battenfjor railroad
will be rebuild in the near future and
will be converted into an up-to-date
railway. 1t has hitherto been mar.
row-guage road and has not been able
to handle its freight business ef-
ficiently.
Henrik Lund, the artist, who painted
the celebrated Nicholson portrait. has
torn it to pieces and is now engaged
in painting new one. All this hap
pened because critics got too busy.
The Hansa Brewing company has
donated 5000 crowns to the Bergen
theater and 5000 crowns to the Tour
list exposition, which will be held there
in 1909.