LEADERSHIP AT SCOTT BASE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29051, 13 November 1959, Page 12

LEADERSHIP AT SCOTT BASE

Mr L. R. Hewitt’s Work “Magnificent” • The adventure, glamour, and scientific interest of Antarctica had tended to obscure a magnificent job of leadership which was being done for the New Zealand party at Scott Base, said Dr. C. D. Ellyett, reader in physics at the University of Canterbury and a member of the Ross Dependency Research Committee, on his return from a brief visit. The job of leader (with limited resources) involved management of the winter party, and of field parties leaving in the spring; reception of numerous New Zealand and American visitors, and supervision of construction and maintenance workers and their overseers. Dr. Ellyett said. On top of this there was almost hourly contact with the Americans at McMurdo, flights to be arranged at all hours, transport to be organised, and all these people fed. Frequent changes came at a moment’s notice. “I was immensely impressed by observing the quiet and efficient leadership of Mr L. R. Hewitt in carrying out these duties with great success,” said Dr. Ellyett. “Morale at Scott Base is consequently high, and relations with the Americans are excellent.” Dr. Ellyett will report to the Ross Dependency Research Com-

Dr. Ellyett will report to the Ross Dependency Research Committee on the New Zealand scientific programme and on co-oper-ation with the American expedition.