HUSKIES ARRIVE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 12

HUSKIES ARRIVE

Long Trip From Antarctic Well grown and bonny, but a trifle bewildered after their hot, dark 10-hour flight in a Globemaster from McMurdo Sound, two husky pups blinked at the door of their big stainless steel kennel when they arrived at Christchurch Airport yesterday on the first leg of an air and sea journey to the Australian Antarctic base at Mawson. Bred at Scott Base and descended from husky dogs brought from Greenland, the pups, a dog and a bitch, aged five months, both from the same litter, are gifts from the Antarctic division of the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition as a return compliment for several dogs the department received earlier from Mawson.

After a period of isolation they will be shipped to Melbourne from Wellington about December 5.

The pups are intended for breeding additional recruits for the expedition’s dog teams at Mawson.

Under the care of Mr A. J. Heine, a New Zealand Geological Survey scientist, the pups are travelling with a 251 b consignment of pemican which Mr Heine said would probably last them until about December 15, when they are expected to leave Melbourne by ship for Mawson. The roundabout route by air and sea is the quickest way of getting them to their destination.

The dogs and Mr Heine were met by the district officer for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at Christchurch, Mr C. O. Clinton, who took charge of the dogs pending their dispatch to Wellington. The dogs are among several litters being bred at Scott Base. The last litter was born about three days ago, said Mr Heine.

Husky dogs had been bred with much success at Scott Base and the target of six dog teams and spares would soon be reached. At present there were four teams in use, Mr Heine said.