Withdrawal Of Field Parties

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30035, 21 January 1963, Page 10

Withdrawal Of Field Parties

(N2. Press Association) SCOTT BASE, January 20. The New Zealand field operations in the Antarctic this summer will begin to close with the withdrawal of the first party from Victoria Land to Scott Base tomorrow and the return of other parties later in the week. "AU Arid parties have achieved their objectives and ail are being withdrawn on time in spite of bad weather and difficulties with flying operations during the season.” the Scott Base leader, Lieutenant Colonel R. Tinker said. “To fit in with the United States Navy’s VX6 Squadron aircraft commitments, the Tucker Glacier survey work of the Federated Mountain Clubs’ field party has had to be cut start -But the Victoria University at WaMagtoa geotogioal

party, to be withdrawn tomorrow, has been able to cover mote ground than

expected. “We still have the weather to cope with, but we expect the withdrawal operation to run smoothly.” Tomorrow it is also planned to pick up the northern field survey and geological party, led by H. S. Gair, on the lower Campbell Glacier. 250 miles north of Scott Base. R. Hewson with his southern field party should be picked up on February 5. On Tuesday and Wednesday the eight-man Federated Mountain Club party will be brought in from the head of the Tucker Glacier, 400 miles north. The flight on Tuesday will include Mr J. H. Miller, who is to lead next summer’s survey and geological work in the north of Victoria Land. Mr Miller arrived at Scott Base this week to make a reconnaissance flight over the area in preparation for next season. T want to took at toe remaining unaurveyed area

of the dependency and decide on the best way to cover it” Mr Miller said.

“It appears that about 10,000 square miles remain to be covered by reconnaissance mapping and geological survey. “In this area we will make our first contact with land mapped by Australians in their neighbouring Antarctic territorial claim.” Field party members will leave Scott Base as soon as possible on American ships and aircraft. A new arrival at Scott Base yesterday was Mir B. P. Sanford, an auroral research scientist of toe Dominion Physical Laboratory. He has returned from two years’ work with Boston’s Arctic Institute of North America. He wiM supervise toe installation of aurora observing instruments at Scott Base. Last night he flew to the United States Byrd Station where he will check auroral research instruments for the United States Antarctic research programme. He will also visit the South Pole, Cape HaHett and poosibly toe new Eights Coast Station on similar mtawas