Active N.Z. part in Antarctic display

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33034, 29 September 1972, Page 8

Active N.Z. part in Antarctic display

For the first time, New Zealand will take an active part in the open day at Christchurch Airport on October 22 which will mark the end of Antarctic Week in the city.

The superintendent of the Antarctic Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Mr R. B. Thomson) said yesterday that the division’s involvement would be in activity rather than static displays. “For example, we will have Sir Vivian Fuchs’s snocat in which he crossed the continent, and four motortoboggans with sleds. At least three Antarctic tents will be set up as for a field camp with all the necessary equipment working and manned,” he said. “All of the vehicles will be mobile and the idea is for youngsters to have rides in them. No charge will be made, but the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society will issue tickets in return for donations to the Canterbury Museum centennial wing appeal,” said Mr Thomson.

The division has shifted to Christchurch from Wellington and the equipment is now readily available in the city. Much of the equipment is used for training members of the New Zealand Antarctic Expedition. In addition, some equipment and vehicles have been brought from Scott Base for overhaul and checks. Soon after the open dav most of the equipment will be sent to the Antarctic.

During Antarctic Week, from October 16 to 22, the division will have equipment, books, photographs, paintings, maps and a recently-com-pleted scale model of Scott Base on display in the windows of two large stores.