The Hastings Standard Published Daily. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1896. POLAR EXPLORATION.

Hastings Standard, Issue 28, 29 May 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1896. POLAR EXPLORATION.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the gpod that we can do.

The announcement that Mr C. Egeberg Borchgrevnik is to undertake an exploring expedition to the Antarctic is a matter for congratulation, as apart from the possible discoveries interesting to savants and scientists, we believo that the proposed voyage will result in commercial benefit to Australasia and particularly to New Zealand. Our knowledge of the polar regions of the South are limited, and while numerous voyages have been undertaken to discover the North Pole, the antipodean quarter has been practically neglected. It is now over fifty years since Sir .James Ross explored the Antarctic, and, in the interval, no ventures of a similar character have been undertaken if we except the voyage of the Antarctic in 1894-95. Mr Borchgrevnik, who is to lead the proposed expedition, joined the Antarctic as an ordinary seaman, made scientific observations of the life and characteristics of the islands and localities visited. Mr Borchgrevnik has given full reports to the Geographical Societies, and at a meeting of the Royal Geographical Society of Victoria, on the return of the Antarctic to Melbourne, he furnished the Society with some interesting details. At Capel Island enormous quantities of ducks were found together with the Australian snipe, whick may breed there instead of in Siberia as generally as-

sumed. On the Bth December, 189-1, j the Antarctic was well into the iceberg region, and the snow-white petrel described by Sir -James Ross was seen, also the argonaut, clustering in myriads in the icefloes to get out of the way of the large blue-fin whales which were in shoals everywhere. A new variety of seal of a dark grey colour without ears was met with. Wherever the party landed thousands of penguins crowded curiously about them, and on Possession Islands they were furiously attacked by the birds. When they rang the old year out and the new year in on board the Antarctic the midnight sun was shining brightly. The crow of the Antarctic were the first human beings to land on Cape Adair, where they found penguins 3000 ft above the water and consequently several days away from food. The commercial prospects will be found in tho whaling industry. The Antarctic failed to fall in with right whales, but everywhere found the bigfin whales, which are of lesser value. Tho main difference in the two types of whale is that tho fin-whales sink as soon as killed, and require special appliances to bring them to the surface, but such appliances were now unfailing. This particular whale trade has been largely developed in Norway by the use of .small quick steamers for killing the whales, which are then towed to land and boiled down for oil. This business, according to Mr Borchgrevnik, is well worth the attention of colonial speculators, for while in Norway they had to lay up for about half the year, such would not be necessary in southern waters. The summer could bo devoted to hunting tho bigfin whales, and the winter time could bo employed in the pursuit of right whales and sperm whales. On Possession Islands vast quantities of guano were found, which must be of future commercial value to the colonies. Mr Borchgrovnik, from the experience ho has already gained, together with his unbounded confidence and enthusiasm, is certain to make a successful voyage if the elements are at all favorable, and given a successful voyage, wo may be sure that science and commerce will be enriched.