POLAR REACHES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 145, 16 March 1931, Page 8

POLAR REACHES

New Zealand Party EXPEDITION PLANNED All the energies of the ,N° W Zealand Polar Year Committee are to be directed toward establishing a New Zealand expedition on one of the sub-Antarctic islands, as part of the international Polar year effort in 1932-33, according to a decision made by the committee at a meeting at Government House last week. Dr. G. C. Simpson, director of the London Meteoroligical Office, made it clear that the scientific world was most anxious that New Zealand should undertake an expedition to a station on the Antarctic continent or on one of the subAntarctic islands. The financial difficulties in the way of such a scheme were fully appreciated by the European and American authorities, but they themselves were suffering from the same disabilities, yet nevertheless, were undertaking very extensive and costly researches Macquan-io Island Considered. The committee was very much impressed with tho importance and potential value of the proposed researches. Though they were undertaken purely in the pursuit of knowledge, it was certain that results of extreme practical and economic importance must ultimately ensue. It was felt, therefore, that, in spite of the existing financial stringency, every effort should be made to ensure that Ngw Zealand should ■ take an adequate part in the ■scheme, and the committee resolved to direct all its energies toward the establishment of a New Zealand expedition on one of the sub-Antarctic islands. It is probable that Macquarrie Island, the southernmost of the islands to the immediate south of New Zealand, where there are already huts available which,’ after renovation, would prove suitable for occupation, will be the one chosen. It is contemplated that the party should consist of six to eight specially-trained young scientists. There are a number of important researches that could be carried out at Macquarie Inland. Scientists are particularly anxious, for instance, thnt the height of the Aurora Australis should be determined by photographic means. This is a difficult work which has not hitherto been accomplished. Numbers of determinations have been made in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is probable that there are very important differences between the Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis. Another direction in which information is urgently wanted is regarding the conditions of temperature, humidity, and movement of the upper atmosphere. A number of suggestions for the raising of the necessary funds were discussed, and this matter is to be taken up immediately bv a sub-committee. The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, presided at the meeting, and there were also present: Mr. G. Shirtcliffe (chairman of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Hon. G. M. Thomson, Dr. E. Marsden, and Messrs. W. R. B. Oliver and A. E. Hefford. Professors Sommerville and Florance, and the secretary, Dr. E. Kidson.