THE HINEMOA EXPEDITION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12960, 13 November 1907, Page 7

THE HINEMOA EXPEDITION.

» SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IX THE SOUTHERN ISLANDS. Those far southerly outposts of the Dominion of New Zealand, the Auckland and Campbell Islands, are to be, risited this week by parties of scientific men, who ere to leave the Bluft to-morrow in the Government steamer Hinerooa. But for the alteration of the hour of the departure from* Wellington of the Mararoa, by which Professor H. B. Kirk, Mr J. S. Tennant, and Mr G. V. Hudson, members of the expedition, travelled to this city, the Hi nemo* would hare left to-day, but the three gentlemen mentioned did not arrive in Chrietcharch until yesterday evening, and will, therefore, leave for the south this morning. The Christchuroh members of the expedition, and Messrs R. E. Aston (Wellington), Field (Wellington), and R. Brown (Wengaomi) left by the first express for the South yesterday. The Auckland Islands, which will bo first touched at, and on which a party will be landed, are situated about 200 miles south of Stewart Island, and the Campbell Islands are still further South. The expedition is expected to return to the Bluff about the end ot the present month. The principal object of the expedition is to make a magnetic survey ot the islands,, and this work is to take priority of all other. This survey is of great importance, as it will prac- j tically complete the magnetic eurvey of New Zealand, which was commenced in January, 1899. Since then the magnetic conditions of both the North and South Islands have been examined with considerable thoroughness at numerous points along tho coasts. Tho geology, zoology, and botany of the islands will be investigated, and specimens collected. In each of these departments it is anticipated that the gentlemen interested in them will find a great deal to engage their attention, a& comparatively little is known of the flora or fauna or geological formation o( t!:«*se rugged and little-frequented parts of the Dominion. Provision has been made in the regulations issued for the conduct ot the expedition to prevent the destruotkra of any of the native birds on the islands, the killing of any native birds or of animal* protected by law being strictly prohibited, as well as the use of firearms. Each member of the expedition (but not the assistants) has contributed £5 to a general fund to defray the coet of equipping and provisioning the expedition, and the Premier hae promised to subsidise this fund to the extent of £150. Whilst tho expedition is away its affairs will be managed by two. executive committees, one for the parties on each group of islands.