ARCTIC HOLIDAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1936, Page 2

ARCTIC HOLIDAYS

TOUR BY SCHOOLBOYS,

SENIORS AND JUNIORS,

LONDON, May, 1. Arrangements have been completed for the fifth expedition of the Public Schools’ Exploring Society to leave this, country for the Arctic on August 5. The party will consist of 70 boys aged from 17 to 19, and 47 'hoys from DU to 17. The junior section will operate 170 miles south-east of the senior! party. " Magnetic and other instruments have been lent by the Admiralty and the Koyal Observatory to survey and take magnetic readings for the British Museum. This work will be done f by tlie

senior party, led by Surgeon-Comman-der G. Murray Levick, founder of the society. From the base camp, reached by rail from Helsinski, Finland, the explorers will strike still farther northwards on foot. The camp is at the northernmost part of the Arctic forest of Scotch firs. As they penetrate toward the north, the party will leave ' the trees and reach rocky country barely covered by moss and bushes. A few days farther north, and there will be no vegetation but jnoss. The chief difficulty will be sudden storms, and the necessity for keeping in close touch with the main body is impressed on the boys. Each boy will have a compass, and directions as to what bearing to follow’ when lost. Rations are carried on their backs. | They will also carry specially light tents, each with room for five sleepers

and weighing only 131 b. Water-bottleS 1 are unnecessary, since good drinking water is plentiful/ Stoves are not/required, as there is a plentiful supply of dry moss for fire-making. .