ARCTIC HOLIDAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22406, 30 April 1936, Page 8

ARCTIC HOLIDAYS

TOUR BY SCHOOLBOYS SENIORS AND JUNIORS [i'llOil OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] LO2xDOX, April 8 Arrangements have been completed for the fifth expedition of the Public Schools' Exploring Society to leave this country for the Arctic on August 5. The party will consist of 70 boys a tied from 17 to 19, and 47 boys from 15i to 17. The junior section will operate 170 miles south-east of the senior party. Magnetic and other instruments have been lent by the Admiralty and the Royal Observatory to survey and take magnetic readings for the British Museum This work will be done by the senior party, led by Surgeon-Com-mander G. Murrav Levick, founder of the society. From the base camp, reached by rail from Itelsinski, Finland, the explorers will strike still farther northwards on foot. The camp is at the northernmost part of the Arctic forest of Scotch firs. As they penetrate toward the north, the party will leave the trees and reach rock}' country barely covered by moss and bushes. A few days farther north, and there will be no vegetation but moss. The chief difficulty will be sudden storms, and the necessity for keeping in close touch with the main body is impressed on the boys. Each boy will have a compass, and. directions as to what bearing to follow when lost. Rations are carried on their backs.. They will also carry specially light tents, each with room for five sleepers and weighing only 131b. \\ ater-bottles are unnecessary, since good drinking water is plentiful. Stoves are not required, as there is a plentiful supply of dry moss for fire-making. The boys get extraordinarily fit on these expeditions The schools from which they will come are: —Wellington (12), Eton (8), Oundle (6). Harrow (5), Marlborough (5), Westminster (-1), Repton (3), Ampleforth (3), Stowe (3), Lancing (3). Winchester (2), Canford (2), Radley (2), Shrewsbury (2), Haileybury (2), Bedford Modern (2), and one each from Charterhouse, Sedbergli, Uppingham. Sherborne, Cranleigh, Bridlington. Durham, Merchant Taj'lors, Greshams. Bedford, Cheltenham, Herne Bay, Beaumont, Tonbridge, Brentwood, H.M.S. Worcester and Edinburgh Academy Kor 1937 a still larger expedition, to Newfoundland, is already being planned.