INAUGURAL MEETING

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 34, 3 November 1933, Page 12

INAUGURAL MEETING

N.Z. Antarctic Society’s Formation PLANS FOR THE FUTURE A good start in life was given the infant New Zealand Antarctic Society last night at its inaugural meeting, which was attended by a large number of interested persons. Plans and objects were discussed and a provisional list of officers elected, and it was hoped that the society’s formation would be followed by branches in the other main centres.

New Zealand should take a particular interest in the Antarctic, said Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, who was in the chair, in opening the meeting. It was a most fascinating continent, and there were certain practical uses to which it might be put. There had been a scheme for establishing meteorological stations on some of the islands in the far south, with Australia, South Africa, and America all contributing, and by this means weather forecasts could be made for a long time ahead. New Zealand, too, had been a jumping-off place for the expeditions of Scott, Shackleton, and Byrd, and soon would be for Lincoln Ellsworth.

Most Important of all, he continued, was that the Ross Sea, an enormous triangle of 1,700,000 square miles, was a dependency of New Zealand. How we had got this dependency in the first place he was quite unable to say, although he had made extensive Inquiries on the point; it seemed to be unknown, even, by what right we held it at the present time. The Antarctic Continent was a huge mass of land, 5J million square miles in area—about as big as Europe and Australia combined. Of course, it undoubtedly was a most desolate and barren land, but it was most interesting from every point of view. Commercial Possibilities. Whether anything on the continent was likely to be turned to commercial use need not concern the society, but Sir Douglas Mawson, probably the most eminent geologist in the southern hemisphere, seemed optimistic of the continent’s future value. Another point was that probably it was the only country in the world that was absolutely germless, and it was said to be quite possible that as time went on sanatoria would be established there, where consumptive patients, for example, could be completely cured. That might sound far-fetched, but it was quite feasible. Mr. Hunt said it had been his privi-' lege to meet a number of Antarctic explorers, and he hoped that it would be made possible for the society’s members also to meet them. A scheme that had been near to his heart for a long time was the obtaining of Scott’s old ship, the. Discovery, for use in New Zealand as a training ship for boys intending to go to sea, for ocean charting, fishery research, and lastly, for use as a relief ship for Antarctic explorers whenever necessary. This seemed from all points a particularly admirable scheme: to put a ship so ’rich in traditions and great associations connected with -this country, and the world at large, into such profitable work for New Zealand. At present she was owned by the Falkland Islands Government, but there was no longer any use for her there, and she had been sent to lie idle at Dead Man’s Berth, London. She had beep bought by the Falkland Islands from the Hudson Bay Fur Company, with a proviso that were she to be resold she should be first offered back to the company for £lOOO. New Zealand might be able to have that Waived, however. Australia apparently wanted to obtain a research ship, and the Discovery, in the event, of her being bought, might be shared. , • Objects of Society. Mr. Hunt said that the society would have, too, a wide range of interests beyond the Antarctic itself. He submitted a rough sketch of' proposals for the society’s objects, as follow: — To group together all persons interested in expeditions, history, oceanography, geology, meteorology and natural history of Antarctic, sub-Antarctic islands and seas. To collect, study and disseminate by means of lectures and publications all information and data. To collect exhibits, films, photographs, books, maps, charts, etc. To meet, arrange the entertainment of, aud assist members of Antarctic expeditions and enrol them as honorary members. To endeavour to secure for New Zealand S.Y. Discovery I or other suitable vessel as an ocean survey ship, and ensure that such vessel shall be available as a relief ship for any expedition in need of same. To study and advise upon the bird and sea life of the southern seas. To advocate the establishment of meteorological stations in the southern lands for the particular benefit of Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. To perpetuate the records of deceased and living explorers. To maintain a record of all members of Antarctic expeditions resident in New Zealand and of their descendants. To affiliate with the Royal Geographical Society. Officers of the society were elected as follow, subject to their consent: Patrons, Sir Douglas Mawson, Rear-Admiral Byrd aud Admiral Evans: vice-patrons, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Sir Frederick Chapman and Sir Joseph Kinsey; president, Hon. Mr. Justice Ostler; vice-presidents, Mrs. Ferrar. Mr. R. G. Simmers, Mr. R. A. Falla and others to be elected later: council, Messrs. W. B. Oliver. A. A. Kirk, F. S. Pope. L. B. Quartermain. A. E. Mabin, J Pearce Luke, A. J. Toogood. 8.. L. Donne. A. Leigh Hunt, Dr, Graham Robertson. Dr. J. Henderson, Captain P. Whiteford, Miss E. M. Black, and Mesdatnes K. Preston, G. B. Wilson; hon. secretary, Mr. C. E. Collins: hon. lantern operators, Messrs. A. J. Bland and E. J. Hubbard.