ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1710, 29 December 1919, Page 5

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

OR. COPE'S* EXPEDITION.

SEARCH FOR MINERALS AND > PRECIOUS STONES.

B y ESeotno Telegraph.—Copyright. Ausirahaja-Now Zealand Cable Association Received December 29, 8.50 a.m. ; LONDON. Dec. 26. L»r. Cope is advancing his plans in connection with his journey to Antarctica, lor an interesting expedition to discover minerals, precious stones, and other wealth in the Antarctica, and so mark out a new hold for British and Australian enterprises. Twenty thousand pounds have been promised out ol LIoOjUOO required for the purpose. Dr. Cope expects to start for Wellington m June, 1920. The Terra Nova cost £25,000, and shortly returns from Newfoundland when'another £25,000 will be spent in refitting the vessel, including a powerful wireless apparatus ail m, 01 * en eines to replace steam. Ihe explorer will rely especially on a big four-seater aeroplane designed to carry a sledge, largo supplies of fuel, photographic materials and food. The Ministry provides the crew, for which there is keen competition. The aviators will cany out all inland surveying, which will bo supplemented by numerous still photographs and sweeping cinema pictures. The aeroplane is to be provided with ieeskins. thirty dogs will draw the sledges for th>> shorter surveys. There will be a staff of fifty-four, whereof the shore party will number seventeen, the majority being scientists and Australians. Dr Oope is confident that the climate will not prove more severe and the natural difficulties not greater than in Siberia and Klondyke, and the wealth of Antarctica is probably equal to both. I