BOUND FOR ANTARCTIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 243, 14 October 1929, Page 3

BOUND FOR ANTARCTIC.

THREE BIG WHALERS. REGULATION OF KILLING. INSPECTORS GOING WITH SHIPS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, tliis day. Another big whaling factory-ship, the Sir James Clark Ross, arrived almost as the Ivosmos and her 'chasers cleared the heads on Saturday, and a third, the C. A. Larsen, will arrive to-morrow. The visits of the whalers mean a good deal to Wellington financially." It is estimated that the stay of the Kosmos and her 'chasers involved the disbursement of between £9000 and £10,000. In addition to port charges, and the cost of 4000 ions of water and large quantities of stores, a good sum was spent in repairs to the 'chasers and in the provision of additional ventilators and other fittings for the Kosmos. One firm worked day and night, and the services vf eleven other engineering and foundry ilrms were required to get the jobs through in quick time. The Kosmos was drawing 35ft fore and aft when she left. She will call at Wellington on her return from the Ross Sea next March. Danger of "Overdoing"- It; The view that the Antarctic whaling business is in danger of being "overdone" from the financial point of view is more or less confirmed by the blasters of the Kosmos-and the Ross. Whether the vast herds of whales are in danger of extermination from the whMesale killing operations now being carried on is another matter. Even the most experienced whalers are not prepared to express any definite opinion. Captain Thorstensen, of the Ross, who lias many years' experience of whaling. unable to say whether the cow whale breeds once a year or only once in two years. He believes, however, that young whales develop in size very quickly. He has seen no diminution in the number of whales during his successive voyages. The Norwegian regulations are to be enforced. That the Norwegian Government is fully alive to the position is proved by the presence aboard the Ross on this voyage of Lieutenant Dansor. of the Norwegian Navy, who, in pursuance of the object of legislation passed in Norway, is charped witli the duty of enforcing the regulations. He will act as insnector, and see that so far as is possible young whales or cow whales with calves are not killed. Moreover, Norway insists on every portion of the carcases being utilised. Lieutenant Dansor will not only see the regulations are carried out in the Rosshavet fleet, but in the others as well, if thev are met. He will have the assistance of Captain W. W. Stuart. It is understood that Sir Douglas Mawson's expedition in the Discovery will pursue investigations in the Australian sector of the Antarctic. Injured Captain Allowed to Go. While the Kosmos and her 'chasers were preparing to sail on Saturday morning Captain Sorensen, commander of one of the 'chasers, was injured. He was superintending operations aboard his vessel when he had his left thigh injured by an anchor falling on him. He was taken by ambulance to Wellington Hospital. It seemed a hard fate, for he was desperately anxious to accompany the expedition,' and after treating him the hospital authorities decided that, as the Kosmos lias a capable surgeon, Dr. Schreiner, they would be justified in allowing the injured man to be placed aboard. He went off in the ambulance, very happy, despite his wound, that lie was not to be left behind in bed in a public hospital.