ANTARCTIC DISCOVERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21298, 27 September 1932, Page 12

ANTARCTIC DISCOVERY

EXPLORING FROZEN WASTES CLAIMING LAND FOR CROWN 'ACCOUNT OF AN EXPEDITION Exploration among the snow and ice of Ilia .Antarctic was the subject of an engrossing address given by Captain A. M. Stanton to members of the Rotary Club at a luncheon held in the Milne and Choyce Reception Hall yesterday. Lantern slides depicting scenes in the frozen wastes illustrated the address. Captain Stanton, who is the commander of the Melanesian Mission's new schooner Southern Cross, which will arrive from England shortly, was chief officer of the Discovery 1., the vessel on which Sir Douglas Mawson visited

Antarctica. Referring to the Royal research ship Discovery IT., which arrived at Auckland 'Dn July/4 and spent six weeks in port, Captain Stanton said there appeared to be some misconception arising from the name. The Discovery 1., on which he went to the "Antarctig with Sir Douglas Mawson, was the ship on which Captain Scott visited the Antarctic in 1901-2. After being in the sealing trade off Newfoundland the Vessel did useful fishery work off the Falkland Islands. In 1926 she was fitted with scientific gear and was used by Sir Douglas Mawson on his Antarctic expedition of 1929-30-31. After leaving Hobart tho Discovery I. proceeded to the 180 th meridian and worked westward, covering about 100 degrees of longitude at about 68 or 69 degrees south. In the course of this progress the expedition landed wherever it could, making scientific observations and claiming land for the Empire. Pictures of rouga seas and towering icebergs were screened by the.lecturer to illustrate the conditions encountered.

> A penguin rookery on the Macquario Islands was then shown. In this vicinity, 6aid Captain Stanton, the rough weather much useful work. An unsuccessful search was made for the Danish barque Koebenhavn, which disappeared in "the South Atlantic in December, 1928, with a number of naval cadets on board. Coal was -taken on board from the whaler Sir James Clark Ross, another lantern slide depicting this operation. The first •landing in the Antarctic was made at Commonwealth Bay, King George Land. Fierce winds were experienced in this locality, causing the sea, although almost ice-bound, to be whipped up furiously. Much of the Antarctic barrier face was inaccessible and frequently the expedition had the greatest difficulty in getting ashore to. proclaim the territory for the Crown. Observations were made from the air by aeroplane, and currents, sea temperatures and marine life were studied at [various depths. Specimens were sent to the universities in Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Slides were, shown by Captain Stanton Illustrating seals and . penguin S> on the barrier ice. In one of them a curious penguin was seen examining a portable gramophone, which had been taken ashore so that it might be seen how the penguins reacted to music. The conclusion of the address was accompanied by a striking picture of the Discovery under full sail m a westerly gale on the way back to Hobart. '