ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4288, 22 February 1901, Page 7

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

The Discovery, which is in course of construction at Dundee for the British expedition to the Antarctic, is expected to be launched in April next. It is desired that the expedition should leave not later than the end of July. Satisfactory' progress is also being made with the German expedition, which . is to co-operate with the British. A suggestion has boon put forward that other countries should join Germany -and Britain in what is hoped? to bo the most successful attempt yet made to reach the South Pole. Italy is said to view, the suggestion with favour. In the event of only the German and British expeditions starting, tho area of reS search will be as equally divided as possible, the German expedition taking one side and the British, the other. Dr J. W. Gregory, Professor of Gep. l°sy in the University of Melbourne, the selected chief of the scientific staff in the forthcoming National Antarctic Expedition, has lately completed with Sir Clements Markham and the members of the Joint Antarctic Committee for the conduct of his department of work, and he returns to Australia early in January, where in all probability he will remain until the good ship Discovery leaves England and picks him up eu route for the - regions within the Antarctic circle which arc to be explored. Tiie choi«e of a name for the vessel presented some difficulty, since it was not desirable to employ one used in her Majesty's navy, and, on the other hand, . there were some names

of former Antarctic ships to Be. borne in mind, including the almost forgotten Jane, Lively, and Magpie, and the wfliremembered Erebus and Terror. The accepted one, Discovery, seems, however, appropriate enough, as no fewer than five vessels have previously supplied an exploring Arctic record to recommend its selection, under such captains. too, as Cook and Vancouver,_ so that for the southern hemisphere it has the double advantage of good company and novelty.