VOLUNTEERS FOR EXPEDITION

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 14

VOLUNTEERS FOR EXPEDITION

CHRISTCHURCH MEN INQUIRE

A surgeon with field experience and a surveyor now completing his degree at Canterbury University College are among the volunteers from Christchurch for the New Zealand party in next year’s Antarctic expedition. The president of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society (Mr H. F. Griffiths) said yesterday that this type of qualification would undoubtedly be useful, but the branch awaited an announcement from the organising committee now being established about the special experience which would be required in candidates.

A number of other applications to join the expedition had been sent from Christchurch direct to Wellington, Mr Griffiths said. Anyone interested should consult the society promptly, as an indication of support likely to be found in New Zealand would be useful even at this early stage.

Mr Griffiths said he knew many mountaineers were interested, but were not certain of the scope for their experience beyond the mountains above the McMurdo Sound base. Personally, he.thought it possible that a separate mountaineering party could be taken south under the general direction of the expedition leaders, and then embark on self-financed and self-organ-ised climbing near the base. It was possible that the base would be manned next summer, and newcomers could gain experience. One advantage of the expedition proper being 18 months ahead was that suitable men could qualify or brush up knowledge in special fields, Mr Griffiths said. It should not be long before the size and nature of the New Zealand party were known. The Canterbury branch of the Antarctic Society would make a special call for volunteers at its next meeting on June 14.