Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-18
PEARY ABOUT. TO
 START FOR SYDNEY
Hustle and Activity on Board the Roosevelt-HoIiday Celebrations in. the Far North.

Battle Harbor, Labrador, Sept. IT,
 via Marconi Wireless Telegraphy to
 Cape Ray, )-After a week of rest the craw of the Arctic steamer Roosevelt, on board of which
 Commander Robert E. Peary is mak-
 ing his way south. today there is hus-
 tie and activity on all sides for the
 men putting the finishing touches to
 the preparations for the start for Syd-
 ney.
 Peary Faced Battery of Cameras.
 Commander Peary has had an active
 day. At g o'clock this morning he re-
 ceived Captain Dickson of the Cana
 dian government steamer Tyrian, and
 half an hour later he welcomed the
 newspaper correspondents who came
 up to Battle Harbor on the Tyrian.
 One of the first things he did was to go to the quarterback of the Roosevelt and face battery of cameras.
 First Class in North Pole Geoaraphy," !"
 When the pictures had been taken Commander Peary and the correspond ents all went ashore to the loft of
 hsh house on the wharf, where the ex- plorer became the target for a broad side of questions. Peary sat with his back to the single window in the gable end of the attic, and the newspaper men were grouped in front of him. Some of them were mounted on piles of tish nets, others were seated on bar relg, and number squatte;l on the floor. In addition the crews of the steamers and sailing vessels in port. the local merchants and fishermen. and a gathering of small boys filled the rude hall and listened to what might be termed Commander Peary's first public lecture since his return from the pole. This gathering at Battle Har- Dor, fishing port on the coast of Lab rador that before the coming of Com mander Peary was practically un- known to the world at large, was fa- cetiously dominated the first class in north pole geography"
 Explanations to Newspaper Men.
 In explaining to the newspaper men what he considered to be the scientific value Of polar exploration, Command CT Peary said he had taken soundings of the sea from Cape Sheridan to the pole, which supplemented the similar data taken on the other side by Nan sen and Cagni. Continuing, he argued that north polar exploration as much more difficult than the same work in the Antartic.. In the Arctic the work must all be done in one season. while the south pole eventually will be reached by several seasons of work. if being possible for exploring parties to push forward and hold the ground cov- cred, instead of turning back to win ter quarters or the limits of ciyiliza- ton.
 How the Holidays Were Celebrated. |
 Commander Peary described the eel ebration of Christmas day, the Fourth | of July Thanksgiving day and st | Patrick's day in the far north. On | Christmas they had a special dinser | and a distribution of presents which | had been brought with this ceIebra- | ton in mind. The gifts included a box | of presents from Sir William McGreg- | pr. then the governor of Newfop-sd- | and, and boxes of candy from Mrs. | Peary. There were also running races Tor the members of the party and Es- ximo men and women. for which | prizes were given The distance was | I5 yards. The long Arctic night pre- vailed at this time, and the course was marked by a string of lanterns from | he Roosevelt.
 Flag Raising at the Pole.
 Describing the flag he had raised at he pole, Commander Peary made par icular mention of the silk American lag given by his wife fifteen years lgo and which he had carried on everyi me of his Arctic expeditions, leaving ! portion at the most northerly point lttained The remnant of this flag at he pole consisted of one star and a setion of the blue field and d part of he red and white stripes.
 Al noon today Colnmander Peary re- nrned the visit of the captain of the 'yrian.
 Peary Sails Today for Sydney.
 Halifax, N. S., Sept. LA despatch eceived here tonight from Commander 'eary at Battle Harbor says that he i'll leave Battle Harbor tomorrow Saftlrdav) and will arrive in Sydney n TusaAaw \