MAWSON'S EXPEDITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 12 August 1929, Page 8

MAWSON'S EXPEDITION.

Leaving Cardiff under happy auspices for Capetown, Sir Douglas Mawson has set out on the first stage of his expedition to the Antarctic. That he is making the venture in Captain Scott's polar ship, the Discovery, gives his plans a special interest. Early last year Sir Douglas Mawson made application for the use of this vessel, which has qualities making her particularly suitable ; but he was informed that the British Government wished to retain her for a voyage connected with the investigation of whaling. So set was he on employing her that he then let his project lapse until she should be available. Throughout the Empire there will be gratification that he has been successful in organising his expedition. Australia, it is understood, will supply the whole of the naval ratings included in his party, and the complement of scientists undertaking research work is to be composed of Australians and New Zealanders. Some appointments to this group of scientists have already been announced. The scope of the investigations will be the Australian quadrant of the polar continent, where Sir Douglas Mawson conducted an Australian expedition in 1912, and as this joins the Ross Dependency, which is under New Zealand jurisdiction, the project has added interest for this Dominion. Very little is known of this quadrant within the fringe of the continent. But, whatever its particular objective, the venture is invested with a high degree of attractiveness because of its leader's splendid record in south polar achievement. He was in Shackleton's party, participating in the ascent of Mount Erebus and the journey to the magnetic pole ; and the story of his bi ave share in the penetration of the ice fringe of Adelie Land, a story of death-grapple with a persistent blizzard, is one of the most thrilling in the annals of polar exploration. With such leadership, this expedition should do memorable work.