N.Z. Southern Party Back From Survey

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30338, 14 January 1964, Page 3

N.Z. Southern Party Back From Survey

(New Zealand Prest Association)

SCOTT BASE, January 13. The New Zealand Antarctic Research Party’s southern party has returned to Scott Base after spending 64 days on geological and topographical surveys in the mountains bordering the Ross ice shelf between th.e Axel Heiberg and Shackleton glaciers. The party, led by Mr R. V. McGregor, an Auckland geologist, comprises Messrs P. J. Barrett, a geologist; A. L. Gough, a Christchurch sur-

veyor and D. Massam, a field assistant from Nelson. Mr Massam replaced Mr P. Le Courteur, an Auckland geologist, who was involved in the crevasse incident on the Liv glacier on December 11 and who was flown to New Zealand on December 15. The party used two Polaris motor toboggans and encountered much bad weather, but was able to complete their geology and survey tasks as planned due to the speed and flexibility of motor tobaggans in that terrain. The Duncan mountains region was found to be particularly interesting geologically and yielded good moss and lichen specimens. These were found within approximately 350 miles of the South Pole. In the Duncan mountains the party observed what is thought to be evidence of extensive and very recent deglaciation. The party was put in on the Strom glacier and covered the areas bounded by the Queen Maud mountains. The mapping of one spur for geological purposes involved a climb to 10,000 feet on Kount Fritdjof Nansen. The highest climb was on Mount Wade to 11,000 feet. Coal measures of inferior quality, plant fossils, and good specimens of tourmaline were found.

Woman Injured.— Slight head abrasions were suffered by Hope Vivian, of 189 Linwood avenue, when the car in which she was travelling and another car collided on the Main North road, Kaiapoi at 2 p.m. yesterday. She was discharged after treatment at the Christchurch Hospital.