Selection Of Parties For Antarctic Almost Complete

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 12

Selection Of Parties For Antarctic Almost Complete

(From Our Own Reporter) WWT.T.TNn'miM 99 nnrf -4-

WELLINGTON, Sept. 23 The personnel of the New. Zealand parties to go to the Antarctic later this year and next are in the final stages of selection, and the successful applicants are expected to be informed shortly. It is understood the initial difficulties met in obtaining the services of qualified personnel for the more important scientific jobs have been overcome, and that the New Zealand team will contain scientists capable of making New Zealand’s contribution to the International Geophysical Year a worthwhile one. The name of the expedition leader is not yet known, but it is confirmed that Dr H. J. Harrington, brother-in-law of Sir Edmund Hillary, will lead the Wood Bay exploration party of 12. Dr. Harrington led the Cape Hallett expedition last year It is expected that the Wood Bay expedition into Victoria Land will provide some of the most interesting experiences and discoveries of this season’s Antarctic activities. The geological and survey group which will undertake this part of the programme will consist of two geologists, two surveyors, a stores officer and seven general assistants. The selection of the membership of this party, it is understood. was the main reason for the deferment of the New Zealand Alpine Club's nroposed Antarctic expedition. Several members of the alpine expedition have been accepted- for the Wood Bay project 'Hie expedition will travel south in a- United States icebreaker about the beginning of December. It is expected that six men will be landed at Terra Nova Bay,

and the remaining six at Wood Bay. The areas beyond each bay are quite unknown.

Aerial photographs show several major glaciers in the northern section, mostly feeding in Lady Newnes ice shelf. The northern party is expected to get on to one of these and it is hoped each party will make two traverses across the whole region during its eight weeks in thd field. “The whole region is probably the biggest single piece of really mountainous and unexplored country that is left—not only in Antarctica, but anywhere in the world,” said Dr. Harrington. “There are other immense unexplored regions in Antarctica, but there is reason to believe they are mostly ice-plateau, or ice-plateau diversified by low, rolling ranges.

“Mountaineers and mountain-eer-scientists have begun only recently to play a part in the ground exploration of the Antarctic. The leading pioneers were mostly mariners ” Other appointments to be announced are the Scott Base team of five scientists, including the scientific leader, a radio operator, a cook and two maintenance officers: the Hallett station team of three scientists or technicians: and the two scientific officers or technicians who will be assisting with oceanographic surveys and biological investigations.