RELICS OF POLAR EXPEDITIONS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27912, 8 March 1956, Page 17

RELICS OF POLAR EXPEDITIONS

Antarctic Display In Christchurch

COLLECTION OF MR A. H. BLISSETT Among a wide variety of Antarctic relics and souvenirs from earlier British expeditions, which will be shown in a Christchurch department store this month, will be the collection of Mr A. H. Blissett, a member of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s first expedition. Mr Blissett died in Christchurch last August. The collection has been lent by his widow, who lives at Heathcote. The exhibition, organised by the Christchurch Antarctic Appeal Committee. will open on March 21. The committee has already obtained many interesting exhibits from homes in Christchurch and Canterbury in an attempt to gain support for the appeal, but it would still welcome others handed in at the Christchurch City Council Chambers. . In the collection of Mr Blissett, who was a member of the crew of the Discovery, which went to the Antarctic in 1901, are many photographs of the ship, bases, glaciers, and icebergs. It also includes the Polar Medal presented by King Edward VII and a silver replica of a special gold medal awarded to Captain Scott. The replica was presented to Mr Blissett by the Royal Geographical Society. Several books include two volumes of Scott’s “Voyage of the Discovery.” They are presentation copies autographed by Scott on October 12, 1905. Other items are pieces of crockery and cutlery with a Discovery stamp, used on the expedition. Already many Christchurch schools have arranged to send classes to the exhibition and Mr R. E. Griffiths, of the Christchurch Teachers’ College, will give talks to school parties and interested members of the public. The Canterbury Museum has made its collection available. Among other exhibits is a piece of kenyte rock which Captain Scott sent to a friend in Christchurch from Cape Evans in 1911. It is black and perforated, as if of volcanic origin. Another exhibit is an old, battered banjo-mandoline taken on an early British expedition. There is a large cigarette scar on its sound box. An autographed menu of a Christchurch Club dinner in 1907 has the signature “Ernest H. Shackleton” and those of other members of his party. Tlie organisers are also trying to secure a large collection of paintings and drawings which Dr. Edward Wilson made when he accompanied Captain Scott.