EXPEDITIONS TO ANTARCTIC

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27735, 12 August 1955, Page 10

EXPEDITIONS TO ANTARCTIC

Possible N.Z. Aid Tc French Party HILLARY REPORTS ON PROJECT (New Zealand Preu Association) WELLINGTON, Aug. 11. The McMurdo Sound base of th New Zealand Antarctic Expeditioi will be the goal of a projected Frencl trans-Continental crossing during th forthcoming “open season” in th South Polar regions. Sir Edmund Hillary mentioned thi tentative French plan at a meetin today in Wellington of the Ross Se: Committee. He had given an assurance in Pari on the committee’s behalf, he saic that the New Zealand expeditioi would give the French party accom modation at McMurdo Sound after it journey, and also transport back tNew Zealand with the members of th, British expedition after the trans Polar crossing. “The French proposal involves ; three-man trek from the D’Urville Se coast, of Adelie Land, French seg ment of the Antarctic Continent, sep arated by Australian territory from tn< Ross Sea Dependency administered b; New Zealand,” said Sir Edmund Hil lary.. The Ross Sea Committee had spent i full afternoon discussing reports fron its sub-committees, said Mr C. W Bowden, the chairman, to night. Great progress was being martin arrangements now that Sir Edmun< Hillary was back in New Zealand treport on his discussions in Britain. “Mounting a project of this magni tude involves a tremendous quantit; of preparatory work,” said Mr Bow den, ‘‘and sub-committee meeting with Sir Edmund. Hillary will continunext week.” Matters for Decision Among the matters being discussec are shipping, the organisation of ; public appeal for funds to augmen the Government’s contribution, th< armed services’ participation, the in tegration of expedition activities witl New Zealand’s still undetermined par in international geophysical yea scientific observations, the exact com position of the New Zealand exoedi tion. stores and equipment schedules and, after decisions on all these fac tors, the compilation of a detailet budget of estimated expend!' tire. “The most impressive thing to m< about this week’s round of discus sions.” said Sir Edmund Hilip-y, “i the enthusiastic co-operation we ar getting from all Government depart ments, the armed services, and a grea manv corrimunity organisations. “There has been a tremendous re sponse in applications to join th< expedition, and it is really heart-warm ing to see how thoroughly New Zea land is interested in this trek south.' he said. The best of equipment and all that wa needed would be provided for the Nev Zealand expedition, said Sir Edmunc Hillarv. In spite of the high costs o the aircraft and the ship, the parti would be completely outfitted for it: task of aiding the Commonwealth An tarctic party. The New Zealanc expedition would probably compris< 22 or 23 men, including scientists.