MARBLE FROM ANTARCTICA

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29112, 26 January 1960, Page 14

MARBLE FROM ANTARCTICA

Foundation Stones For Chapels

Three marble blocks, each weighing 20001 b, from Marble Point, Antarctica, for use as foundation stones for the chapels at Sunnyside, Burwood, and Princess Margaret Hospitals were unloaded from the United States Navy tanker Alatna at Lyttelton yesterday morning. On the wharf to see the blocks unloaded were Mr A. Prentice, secretary of the Hospital Chapels Appeal Committee, Mr N. E. Kirk, M.P. for Lyttelton, Mr R. J. Hampton, a stone mason, who has offered to cut and polish the stones free, the commander of the Alatna (Captain P. Gentile) and the harbourmaster (Captain A. R. Champion). The blocks have a soft rough covering caused by blasting but Mr Hampton believes that the interior will be hard and durable. He said the work’ of cutting through the blocks—a three-day job—would normally cost about £4OO. , Mr C. Sloane, a trustee of the Hospital Chapels Appeal Committee, suggested in October than the stones be brought from Antarctica. Mr Kirk approached the United States Antarctic Commander, Rear-Admiral D. M. Tyree, when he visited McMurdo Sound last year. Admiral Tyree agreed to do all he could to help. The blocks were blasted out, carried 45 miles by helicopter and dropped on the ice alongside the Alatna in McMurdo Sound. After the blocks were handed over yesterday, Mr Kirk thanked Captain Gentile for his assistance and gave him a letter of thanks for Rear-Admiral Tyree, who is still in the Antarctic. The Alatna will leave for McMurdo Sound on Wednesday.