Stocking Of Depot 800 “Would Test Resources”

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28481, 10 January 1958, Page 10

Stocking Of Depot 800 “Would Test Resources”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SCOTT BASE, January 9. Sir Edmund Hillary said last night that it would strain the resources of the New Zealand Antarctic expedition to the utmost to have to establish a depot 800 miles from Scott Base and 100 miles nearer the Pole than the closest present depot. In a interview from Scott Base, he told the New Zealand Press Association: “When we were on our way to the South Pole we received a request from Dr. Fuchs' to establish a further depot, but we were then 240 miles from the Pole and beyond the point of no return. “Just before we reached the Pole Dr. Fuchs and I discussed what further assistance he needed and he asked us to increase fuel supplies at Depot 700. “We are getting that under way now but we have had no further request for a Depot 800. It would be straining our resources, our aircraft, and our ground parties to the utmost but we would give it a go,” Sir Edmund Hillary said.

Asked whether if he was requested to establish Depot 800 he and Murray Ellis would meet Dr. Fuchs there instead of at Depot 700 as at present planned, Sir Edmund Hillary said: “It is late in the season and a long way from base. I hope no need will arise for such a depot, but if it does then the problem of where we will meet Dr. Fuchs will be decided when it arises.” “Considerable Problems”

Asked how he would supply such a depot, Sir Edmund Hillary said: “That presents considerable problems. It is quite beyond the range of our Beaver aircraft but could be reached by the Otter which flew across from South Ice the other day.” Sir Edmund Hillary said the last contact with Dr. Fuchs, was yesterday morning, when Dr. Fuchs was 260 'miles from the Pole.

“I hope Dr. Fuchs finds the going better from now on as 1 think he may do, but the journey between the South Pole and Scott Base could be most unpleasant,” he said. ».

“I suggested he consider postponing the second part of his trek till later in the year, mainly because of the delays up till now. but I left the decision to him. It is for him to makb up his mind and if he comes on we will assist with all our resources.” Sir Edmund Hillary emphasised the value of the scientific work members of his expedition were doing in the Antarctic. “As for the tractor party, its main object was to establish depots for the British crossing party,” he said. “This we managed to do without too much difficulty.

“When we reached and established Depot 700 we pushed further south on what was originally a reconnaissance trip. I had a talk with Dr. Fuchs and he was quite pleased when we suggested going on to the Pole. “We had crevasses, behind us and enough fuel so we went on more or less just for the hell of it We enjoyed doing it” Sir Edmund Hillary said that tha* text of his message to the trans-Antarctic expedition headquarters in London and the Ross

Sea Committee in Wellington outlining his advice to Dr. Fuchs to postpone the second part of his trek till later this year should not have been published. “I was deeply shocked when I found it had been battered around in the press,’’ he said. “As far as I was concerned it was purely a private matter between myself and Dr. Fuchs and the committees concerned in running the trans-Antarctic expedition on the question of whether Dr. Fuchs should attempt to continue from the Pole this summer. “I still think conditions at this end of the Polar plateau may be very unpleasant by the time he gets there, but I told him it was for him to make up his mind and if he decided to come on we would help with all our resources.

“That is still the way things stand as far as I am concerned.”

MAINTENANCE OF SCOTT BASE Three N.Z. Soldiers Engaged

iNew Zealana Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 9.

One of the many aspects of New Zealand activities in Antarctica is the recent arrival. at Scott Base of three Regular soldiers of the New Zealand Army, says Army Headquarters. Last January the Army shared with the Navy much of the constructional work at the base. It is now providing a team to do maintenance work there. Corporal A. Edwards and Sapper A. L. Burton, both of the Royal New Zealand Engineers, have spent the last two weeks at Scott Base engaged in maintenance and minor modifications. They are expected to return home in late February. Corporal Edwards took part in the original constructional work 12 months ago. With him then were Coroprals N. L. Sinclair and E. J. Becconsall.

Also at Scott Base is a Regular Force sergeant of the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He is Sergeant L. O. Duff, a former Regular Force cadet, who is playing an important part in the operation and maintenance of the tractors stationed at the base.

Mr L. H. Martin, leading the New Zealand I.G.Y. team in Antarctica, is also a Territorial Force captain in the R.N.Z.E.M.E.

Motorist Injured

A man suffered severe facial injuries when the car he was driving struck a parked truck near the intersection of Montreal street and Bealey avenue about 1030 o.m. yesterday. He is Gordon Bruce Graham Purnell, of 198 Bealey avenue. Mr Purnell was

taken by St. John ambulance to the Christchurch Public Hospital, where he was admitted. Late last night his condition .was reported to be satisfactory.