SOLAR ECLIPSE EXPEDITION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22110, 4 June 1937, Page 11

SOLAR ECLIPSE EXPEDITION

TWO PARTIES MEET ON WARSHIP PREPARATION OF APPARATUS (UNITED PBBSS ASSOCIATION—COPYBiaHT.) (Received June 4, 12.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 3. A radio message from the solar eclipse expedition on Canton Island in the Phoenix group says that last evening the officers of H.M.S. Wellington entertained the officers of the Avocet' and members of the American and New Zealand expeditions on the quarter-deck, which was dressed for the occasion, giving the parties an opportunity to meet and exchange views. The coronagraph, with covers, a breakwind, and a darkroom have been completed. The coelostat clock has been rated and is working well. Mr I. L. Thomsen, of the Dominion Observatory, is conducting meteorological observations hourly, which show only a few degrees' range of temperature day and night. Mr Buddie, the photographer, while blowing specimen eggs at the edges of a lagoon, was attacked by a fourfoot sea ell, but he scrambled to safety. Specimens of fierce land crabs were obtained. The party was interested to see a large colony of spectacled tern near the camps. The Americans have begun eclipse drill and the New Zealanders will start to-morrow. Members of the party are unable to sleep because of rats and hermit crabs on their beds. Some Americans are sleeping on their workshop roof.