Antarctic Party Briefed

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29893, 6 August 1962, Page 10

Antarctic Party Briefed

(New Zealand Press Associatioi

CHATEAU TONGARIRO, August 5 The end of New Zealand’s Antarctic effort was not in sight and the programme would continue for at least a decade. Mr C R Willett acting assistant secretary to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, told members of the 1962-63 Antarctic party at Waiouru on Saturday Most members of the new party are undergoing a training course at Mount Ruapehu this week They assembled or Saturday at Waiouru Military Camp for introductory lectures before moving to Mount Ruapehu “As long as big nations are in Antarctica. New Zealand will be there too." Mr Willett said ’There is no sign of a maior diminution of effort by the big nations” The results of New Zealand scientific work in the Antarctic were of high standard. he said Publication of findings was perhaps a little slow but papers on Antarctic work must compete for priority with those from other

fields of study within New Zealand The first big New Zealand publication on Antarctic geology would be ready early in October It would be the first major work on geology to be published since the expeditions of Captain R F Scot,, said Mr Willett “Our material will be more lasting source material of greater depth than that which sometimes gains quick overseas publication It will, for instance, be many, many years before more accurate mapping work than ours can be prepared on the Ross Sea Dependency area.” Mr Willett said. The Antarctic Division of the D S I R was being granted the full sum requested for this season's work, he said In the next two years about £30.000 would be spent on repairing and enlarging Scott Base buildings Other expenditure in the coming season would cover the purchase of a new per-sonnel-carrying vehicle called a ‘‘Nodwell.'' which was designed to replace the weasels at present in use. New tracks

and pontoons would be fitted to the one Snocat vehicle at Scott Base A new hut for scientific staff would be built at Cape Royds and would be available for American use This indicated the greater importance being placed on biological work with penguins, seals and other Antarctic animals ‘‘We have just about worn ou‘ the equipment with which we started the IG Y..” Mr Willett said. Lectures were also given on Antarctic biology by Dr. B Stonehouse. lecturer in biology at Canterbury University and Mr T Hayward. Ministry of Works overseer. Wellington, on Scott Base buildings Mr C Clinton. D-oIR district officer in Christchurch briefed the party on transport to McMurdo Sound by United States Naval aircraft Led by Lieutenant-Colonel R A Tinker, of Christchurch, the new -party will relieve the wintering-over party at Scott Base and Hallett Station early in October. The training course will continue until Saturday.