ANTARCTIC FIELD PARTY AT WORK

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30588, 3 November 1964, Page 3

ANTARCTIC FIELD PARTY AT WORK

(New Zealand Press Association)

SCOTT BASE, Nov. 2. The first field party of the summer left Scott Base on October 24. A vulcanologist, Dr. A. Ewart (D.5.1.R.), of Wellington, was taken by a dog drawn sledge 30 miles to Cape Royds, and two soil scientists, Dr. G. Claridge (D.S.I.R. soil bureau) and Mr I. Campbell were flown to Cape Hallett. Dr. Ewart is studying lava in the McMurdo area to make comparisons with the origins of some New Zealand volcanic areas. After five days at Cape Royds he will go a further 40 miles to Cape Bird. It is presumed that lava deposits at Cape Royds originated from Mount Erebus, the only volcano still active in Antarctica, and at Cape Bird volcanic deposits are from the now dormant Mount Bird. The soil scientists will spend about a fortnight at Cape Hallett and will be helped by the Scott Base field assistant, Mr D. Lowe, to make short man-hauling sledge trips in the area.

The New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme is being confined to short localised field trips this summer. Long-range exploration and

mapping expeditions have been completed and the emphasis is now on small and scientifically specialised field parties.

Whales Caught

The Tory Channel whalers have caught 13 sperm whales since they started their new season three weeks ago. Friday and Saturday were the best days for years when eight whales were caught—five of them on Saturday. But Mr G. T. Perano, one of the principals of the company, said the price of whale oil had dropped again.—(P.A.)