VISIT TO THE SNARES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25380, 31 December 1947, Page 6

VISIT TO THE SNARES

TWO MEN TO LEAVE NEXT MONTH "The Press’’ Special Service DUNEDIN. Decembet 30. Messrs L. E. and W. M. C. Denham will leave early next month on w seven weeks’ visit to The Snares, aoout 60 miles below the south cape of Stewart Island to study marine, bird, and other animal life. Mr Richdale, who is honorary lecturer in zoology |at the University of Otago, is well known for his work in scientific study and the conservation of the penguin and albatross on the Otago Peninsula and Stewart Island. Mr Denham, formerly member of Parliament for Invercargill, is keenly interested in the conservation and preservation of wild life, and has made many visits to Stewart Island to study bird and animal life. Mr Richdale began planning a visit to The Snares 10 years ago, and was prepared in 1939 when the outbreak of war caused the venture to be postponed.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is interested in Mr Richdale’s project, and the visit has been facilitated by the department. Emphasising the importance of such a party being small, Mi Richdale said to-day that Mr Denham and he had definite aims in view, and each had definite work on which to concentrate. This visit would be largely reconnaissance during which a foundation would be laid for subsequent . work. They plan to return at .the end of February. In a year’s time ‘the two men plan to make an eight weeks’ visit to The Snares.

The importance of knowing birds and animals as well as one knew persons was mentioned by Mr Richdale, who said that the only Way in which to gain this intimate knowledge was to live with the animals as much as possible.