6 SEPTEMBER 1930, Page 3

The fate of Audree might never have been revealed if

there had not been an exceptionally warm summer on White Island. There was much less snow than usual and the Norwegian explorers saw part of a boat and - human bodies protruding from the snow. These things had probably been covered for years. All the equipment, including the canvas boat, was, of course, of that slender kind suitable for being carried in a balloon. It is amazing that Andree and his companion were able to make so long a journey. As the Times says, in spite of the pre- monition of failure the reckless scheme was not so far from success after all. If only the condition of the ice had been better the explorers might well have got through to some place where they could have "lived on the

country" till rescue came. * * * *