To Study Lonely Snares Islands

Northern Advocate, 4 October 1947, Page 4

To Study Lonely Snares Islands

(Spec.) CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. To study seals, mutton birds and meteorological conditions, a small party of scientists will leave Bluff next month for the Snares, a lonely group of islands 70 miles south of Stewart Island. Arrangements for the trip are being made by the director of the Canterbury Museum (Mr R. A. Falla), who will accompany the party to make an examination of ocean birds on the islands.

Dr R. C. Murphy, an American authoritv on sea birds, who will be visiting New Zealand next month, will travel with the party. On behalf of the Marine Department, Dr Murphy will make investigation into seal stocks.

A survey will be made of the mutton bird population and conditions In which they are nesting. The Snares are known ,to be a nesting place. LAST VISIT IN 1914 They have not regularly been visited by mutton birders, although some sporadic visits were paid, the last one in 1914. A limited number of scientific workers in other fields will be included in the party. A fast launch will probably be used for the expedition, which will last about two weeks. Tlie main island of the group is not more than 500 ft high and is more than a mile long. It is covered with sturdy stunted bush, except for patches that have been cleared by swarms of penguins.

Constable J. Ross, of Dargaville, is temporarily on loan to the Kaikohe police station, under Sergeant H. Sargent.