Plans For Christchurch As “Antarctic City”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29897, 10 August 1962, Page 13

Plans For Christchurch As “Antarctic City”

A permanent committee to organise future Antarctic Weeks in Christohurch was set up yesterday when representatives of interested bodies met in the City Council Chambers. The committee includes representatives of the Canterbury Public Relations Office, the City Council, the United States Navy, the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society, the airport authority and the Antarctic Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

“The type of activity we are planning now will ensure that Christchurch continues to be regarded as the focal point tor Antarctica,” said the public information officer for Unted States Navy Antarctic activities (Commander J. S. Hahn), who suggested that a start be made on collecting historical material.

The Deputy-Mayor (Mr H. P Smith) said it might be

possible to ask the Government, City Council and other local authorities to lend support to make Christchurch the Antarctic city. New Zealand armed forces and other organisations will be invited to participate in the activities. Plans to hold an international Antarctic scientific symposium in Christchurch this year had fallen through because one was being held in Paris next month, said Mr J. H. M. Williams, secretary of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society. The idea would be carried forward to next year. The United Stitaes Antarc-, tic task force’s “open day” at Christchurch Airport was fixed for September 23 although firm plans for other arrangements were not possible. To enable RearAdmiral D. M. Tyree, the task force commander, to participate, the official opening function of Antarctic Week was tentatively set down for September 14.

The local branch of the Antarctic Society, as its contribution, had planned an exhibition a week later but its representatives at the meeting undertook to try tn make

arrangements to hold their display between September 17 and 21.

The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) said that appreciation of the efforts of the United States Navy and the local branch of the Antarctic Society should be shown by the city's support for the annual project.