RETURNING SOUTH

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 272, 12 August 1932, Page 12

RETURNING SOUTH

Research Ship Discovery II LIFE OF THE WHALE Weddel Sea Investigation Dominion Special Service. Auckland, August 11. After six weeks in port, the Royal research steamer Discovery II will leave Auckland for Wellington on Monday morning. About the beginning of September it will make another visit to the edge of the Antarctic ice in the course of a prolonged investigation into the life history of the whale. During its stay in Auckland the Discovery II has been repainted, and is spick and span again in its new coat of light grey. During the last |ew days attention has been paid to the commissariat, and large quantities of provisions, meat, vegetables, fruit, and tinned stores have been taken on board. “Suffiicent for three thumping meals a day for 51 men for six months,” was the answer given on board to an inquiry as to the amount of stores shipped. The fulfilling of orders has therefore been of considerable value to certain firms. ' r The vessel expects to reach the Falkland Islands in November, and during the summer mouths will make further investigations in Weddel Sea. She will probably return to England about next May. Her visit to Auckland has been longer than the stays usually made on the vessel’s periodic returns from the Atlantic in the course of her circum-polar voyage, and the opportunity has therefore been taken to make an extensive refit. The coaling will be done at Wellington. The vessel has been berthed at the Central Wharf ever since her arrival on July 4, refitting operations not necessitating her docking.