Extradition proceedings against a Massachusetts man convicted in the 1984 fire that destroyed Adm. Richard Byrd’s Tunk Lake summer retreat were continued Wednesday over the objections of state prosecutors.

Tom McNaught, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, said lawyers for William Berkley, 49, of Belmont, Mass., sought a continuance of the proceedings, citing their client’s ill health.

Although Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Joseph Mitchell continued the hearing until Sept. 26, he also granted a motion by Assistant Attorney General Neil Steingold for an independent medical examination to verify the extent of Berkley’s incapacity. Judge Mitchell also continued bail in the case.

Berkley, also known as William B. Strong, purchased Adm. Byrd’s rambling log lodge from Richard E. Byrd Jr. in April 1983. Located on Tunk Lake in Township 7, adjoining Sullivan, the retreat was dubbed “Wickyup” by the polar explorer and was listed on the National Historic Register.

Berkley had plans to develop the property and construct condominiums, but was barred from doing so by a court order sought by Byrd’s heirs after he purchased the lodge.

Because Berkley had increased the insured value of the property from $420,000 to $820,000 only six days before the fire, Povich charged that Berkley burned the lodge for profit and to clear the path for future development of the lakefront parcel.

Berkley, who did not take the stand during the 1988 trial, claimed that a dog started the fire when the animal knocked over a kerosene lamp on July 17, 1984.

Last December, the Maine Supreme Court upheld Berkley’s April 11, 1988, arson conviction and ordered him to report to Maine authorities to begin serving his sentence — a five-year prison term with all but 18 months suspended to be followed by three years of probation.

Berkley failed to appear prompting Justice Herbert T. Silsby II to issue a warrant for his arrest. Silsby also denied Berkley’s hand-written request for a stay of execution of his sentence while he filed an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Berkley also stated in his letter that he had suffered a stroke, explaining that his ill health precluded any plans for traveling to Maine.

Berkley eluded authorities until June 22 when officers with the Bedford Police Department in Massachusetts located Berkley’s car at a Ramada Inn, where he had registered under the name of Strong. He refused to waive extradition citing his health and appealed to the Supreme Court.

Michael E. Povich, Hancock County district attorney, said Wednesday that Berkley is “obviously stalling for time.”