POLAR EXPLORATION

Evening Star, Issue 22350, 28 May 1936, Page 6

POLAR EXPLORATION

ANTARCTIC SOCIETY BRANCH - FORMATION IN DUNEDIN A decision to form a Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society was made by an enthusiastic meeting last night at the offices of Messrs H. I/. Tapley and Co., a firm associated ■with the Byrd and Ellsworth expeditions, Mr If- F. Griffiths being in the chair. Mr Griffiths said that the meeting was the culmination of the desire of many interested in the Antarctic Dunedin was the traditional home in New Zealand for Antarctic exploration expeditions, yet Wellington had succeeded two years ago in forming an Antarctic Society, under the patronage ot Rear-Admiral Byrd, Admiral Evans, and Sir Douglas Mawson. The enthusiasts in Dunedin had marked time to see the progress of the Wellington society. It had made definite strides, the membership having risen to 85, and its activities becoming well known in England and the United States. The proposal was that Dunedin should affiliate with the New Zealand society as a branch; the main organisation was already linked with the American Polar Society and the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge. The rules had been amended to permit of the establishment of branches, and Dunedin would be the first one formed. _ The outline of the aims of the society was comprehensive, and suggested that, the branch would have a full programme of activity, provided the membership was strong and enthusiastic. Several men with exploration experience were in Dunedin, and had promised full support. Lectures would ho arranged, discussions on the many phases of science and exploration would he possible, and contact would he made with the explorers in other parts of the world. A proposal was that the branch should establish a library of photographs, and publications, giving deeper information than was to be found in the more popular magazines. After a discussion on the many possible phases of activitv, it was decided, on the motion of Mr Griffiths, seconded by Mr James H. Duncan, that a Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society be formed. . Messrs Griffiths, Duncan. F. Ninnis, ,T Robertson, E. C. Powell, A. B. Robinson. J. H Robinson. 0. O. Kraft. W. A. Robinson, and Frank Pa ape were appointed an interim committee to increase membership, a progress report to be presented to a meeting on June 17, when all intending members are to be invited to be present. Mr Pa ape was appointed interim secretary and Mr Griffiths was elected acting-chairman in recognition of his organising work. It was decided that Mr Paape should endeavour to secure for sft-eening Byrd’s first film of the Antarctic.