N.Z. ANTARCTIC APPEAL

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27985, 4 June 1956, Page 7

N.Z. ANTARCTIC APPEAL

CHRISTCHURCH TOTAL NOW £5300 £2OO RAISED AT PUBLIC LECTURE More than £2CO was raised by the Christchurch Antarctic Appeal Committee on Saturday evening at a public lecture given by Sir Edmund Hillary in the Civic Theatre. Funds now stand at £5300. It is hoped to raise £12,500 in the Christchurch district. The money will be used to buy food for the New Zealand expedition to the Antarctic next year.

To help in the appeal for funds Sir Edmund Hillary autographed three copies of his Everest book, “High Adventure,” for sale by public auction. Three years before, to the day. Sir Edmund Hillary was making his way down Everest after the first ascent of the 29,002 ft peak. The three books realised £3O. They were knocked down—at £lO each—to Mr J. M. Knight, of New Brighton; Mr J. C. Elworthy, of Richmond Hill; and Mr L. Hudson, of Christchurch.

Squadron Leader J. R. Claydon. who will be in charge of the expedition’s air unit, and Sir Edmdond Hillary, remained in the theatre after the lecture to sign their names to Antarctica share certificates being sold on the spot. Reasons for Expedition

One of the most important reasons for a New Zealand expedition to the Antarctic was to demonstrate to foreign nations that the Ross Sea Dependency was New Zealand territory, said the president of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society (Mr H. F. Griffiths) speaking at the lecture. “Other nations are already casting envious eyes on it.” he said.

“When Sir Edmund Hillary sets up a New Zealand base down there next year our flag will be flown over that territory for the first time. It is our land, and the flag will say, ‘Keep out’." Mr Griffiths said that members of the public should support the appeal for funds to finance the expedition. The expedition was good for national prestige, it was a great adventure in its own right, and it had been traditionally a public privilege to finance other Antarctic expeditions, such as those of Scott and Shackelton.

Christchurch in particular had an interest in Antarctic expeditions because it was in the home of Sir Joseph Kinsey, at Sumner, that Captain Scott had sat and planned his last expedition. Mr Griffiths said. “We have long and honourable Antarctic traditions here and I appeal to you to foster traditions and get behind the appeal for funds.” he said.