N.Z. Maps Big Area In Antarctica

Press, Volume C, Issue 29684, 30 November 1961, Page 22

N.Z. Maps Big Area In Antarctica

When thia aeaaan'a Ant* arctic xxrveyx have ben dene. New Zealand expeditions win have explored and enpprd, in five not* mer aeaaons, an area of 6*969 aqnsre miles in the Bom Dependency —the whole 7M-mile-loss mowntainou stretch from sooth of the Beardmore glacier to north of Bom Island. The Minister in Charge of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Mr W. B. Tennent) discussed this yesterday in his summary of New Zealand’s progress in the Antarctic. He said this season’s surveys would tie together areas explored by the txans-Antarc-tic expedition in 1957-58, the New Zealand Alpine Club expedition in 1959-60, and the New Zealand Geological and Survey Expedition ot 195960. This would complete the southern limits of New Zealand's long-term programme of mapping the Ross Dependency. Mr Tennent said the New Zealand programme had made an early start and fast progress this season. He had been to see New Zealanders at work there and was proud that the Dominion was playing such a substantial part in the Antarctic. “Our activities bring great credit to New Zeealand,” he said, “particularly in international science. More Accomplished "Mr Athol Roberts, with his first group of men, took over leadership of Scott Base from Mr V. E. Donnelly on October 10. In six weeks, we have accomplished more than in any comparable time in previous seasons, thanks to good organisation, good flying weather, and our good American friends." The Minister said a fourman geological survey party had been put into the field further south (at 300 miles from the South Pole) higher up (at 9000 ft), and earlier, on November 6, than any previous New Zealand party. A second four-man party was waiting at Scott Base to go into the field just north of the Beardmore Glacier. The Scott Base party of 10 and the Hallett party of three had been put in and the 1961 parties withdrawn. The scientists at both stations had completed their hand-over periods aided by specialists from New Zealand. A summer support party of six was at Scott Base busily engaged on seasonal jobs to support base and field activities, and the University of Canterbury biological expedition of four men under Dr.

Bernard Stonehouse had been at work for three weeks at points on Ross Island. AU the 1962 re-supply stores for Scott Base had been procured and packed and were awaiting United States shipment at Christchurch. “The achievements of the southern field party, operating in the region to the south of the Beardmore Glacier, deserve high commendation.” said Mr Tennent “This party, of Mr W. Herbert, leader, Mr P. Otway, surveyor, Mr V. McGregor, geologist and Mr K. Pain, are the first men to set foot in this region—3oo miles from the Pole—since Captain Scott and his men struggled up the frightful Beardmore Glacier, 50 years ago this season. “Although Mr Herbert and his party were landed at latitude 83 degrees 19 minutes south at an altitude of 9000 ft just more than two weeks ago, they have made remarkable progress with the mapping and geological surveys of this unexplored region. In spite ot frostbite, effects of altitude and extremes of more than 80 degrees of frost, two survey stations have been established at 12,000 feet, and invaluable plant fossils and coals 150 to 200 million years old have been discovered. These finds will enable geologists to fix accurately the geological age of the Beacon sandstone series which covers extensive areas of the Ross Dependency. “The southern party will continue its mapping and geological exploration.” said Mr Tennent, “to the east and south of the Beardmore, until early February, 1962, by which time several thousand square miles of newlymapped country will have been added to New Zealand’s Antarctic surveys. "At Scott Base, the northern party, consisting ot Mr R. Walcott, leader, Mr G. Grindley, senior geologist, and Messrs R. Hewson and J. Montgomerie, is poised ready to go into the field as soon as United States air support is available. The northern party will carry out mapping and geological surveys from the northern flank of the Beardmore to the Nimrod Glacier, some 150 miles to the north,” he said.