ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8468, 20 January 1891, Page 6

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

It is somewhat singular that there ha never been the same amount of i t e manifested in Antarctic exploration asth e has been in that of the regions about tu' North Pole. The galaxy of historical names which are associated with the solved mystery which lies behind t" hitherto impenetrable barriers of ice th " emblazoned scroll" of those who h ° fallen victims to the unsatisfied of science, or the not less eager pressure commerce, find no counterpart in South, and for about half a centu the subject has been well nigh gotten. It has now been revived the Australian colonies, nob, as minht ha" 1 been expected, from an inward, but rv ° an outside source. About four years ag 0 committee was formed by the Royal Societ* of Victoria and the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia for the purpose of furthering Antarctic exploration, but it! efforts have totally failed to enlist pub! assistance. It was in vain that attentio 0 was drawn to the great wealth which \va« certain to be found there in the shape of whales and seals ; the magnetic problemalthough of undoubted interest and import' ance, failed to arouse enthusiasm ; and whe Baron Nordenskiold and Baron Dickeo" offered to equip an expedition f ro ,° Sweden if £5000 were contributed to* art j, it, the Victorian Parliament declined to vote the money. Under these ciic am . stances the committee resolved to try and raise the required sum by subscription and with the help of several liberal donation, they have, so far, raised about £800 J. might be supposed that !New Zealand would particularly interest themselves in a project made congenial by the geographic position of the colony and its old whaling and sealing traditions. It has also caiu S on the score of humanity. It is q u ; t( within the bounds of possibility that som? of the many ships from time to timer* ported as missing in the Australian trade have been driven on the shcrea of the vast continent known to exist ii the Antarctic Sea. Even if it be regarded aj a a impossibility that there may be survivors lingering on in hopeless expectation 0 rescue, it would be some satisfaction if th unknown fate of any of these lost <hip< should be determined. The subject is one which presents a suitable medium for th # exercise of patriotic liberality on the Dart of rich persons, and, doubtless, some will be found to emulate those in Victoria who have contributed very liberally. Met 0 f experience in Arctic exploration are ready to go if they are furnished with the means and it must be admitted that it would be j reproach to both the colonies and the mother country if the comparatively small sum asked for should not be forthcoming,