DR MAWSON'S PLANS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7868, 2 August 1911, Page 8

DR MAWSON'S PLANS

AUSTRALASIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. BRITISH GOVERNMENT GRANT. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT LONDON. June 23. Dr. Douglas Mawson left England a few days ago for Paris, eu route for Australia. Ou fits way through Pans ho will call on the Prince of Monaco for advice as to tho arrangements for providing tho Australasian Antarctic Expedition with, deep sea dredging gear. Tho Prince has taken tho greatest interest in tho expedition, and for some time past a member of Dr. Mawson s scienuiic staff has been undergoing training in the oceanographical laboratory at Monaco under Dr. Richards as well as on board tho Prince's famous yacht. Questioned prior to his departure as tc tho results of his visit to England, Dr. Mawson expressed warm appreciation and gratitude for tho sympathy and support which his proj cct had called forth. "Frantically without exception, ho said, "people all round'have met mo in tho friendliest manner and given very helpful consideration to tho plans lor the expedition. During the threo or four 4 months I havo boon horo the work ol organisation had made excellent progress. and, barring accidents, our departure from Australia for the Antarctic continent before the end of tbe year is assured. Of course, we want more money. The Commonwealth Government has returned encouraging replies to the Australasian Association lor the Advancement of Science, which is working on behalf of the expedition, and Mr iisher and other Conunonw'ealth Ministers now in London are all supporters of tho enterprise!, but their presence here in connection with the Imperial Conference and tho Coronation has involved some delay in tho voting of a grant by the Commonwealth Parliament. GENEKOUS DONATIONS.

“I feel deeply indebted to tho many friends in this country who have come forward with generous contributions. Sir George Reid has been an especially good friend. A number of business firms have come forward with gifts in the way of provisions, etc., while tho subscriptions in money, received! or definitely promised, include .£2500 from Sir Samuel Hordern, a thousand guineas from Mr Eugeu Sandow, and .£IOOO each from Lord Strathcona, Mr Roderick Murchison, Mr W. A. Horn, Mr R. Barr Smith. Mr Hugh Denison and Mr Hugh Dixon. Largo donations' have also been received from many others, including Lord Denman, Lady Russell, Madame Melba, Mr James Buchanan, Mr Campbell, Dr. Mackellar, and Mr Lionel Robinson. These are apart from donations of AIOOO and ASOOO from tho Australasian Association for tho Advancement of Science and the Royal Geographical Society. And last, but not least, I have learned this week that X may hope for a grant from the British Government. "I have," continued. Dr. Mawson, "a letter informing mo that tho Lords Commissioners of his Majesty’s Treasury have had their attention directed by Lord Denman to my appeal for funds, and that in view of tho importance of tho objects, both scientific and economic, which X hope to attain, they frill be prepared to ask Parliament to vote a sum of A2OOO for the expedition. NO CLASHING WITH SCOTT.

"I appreciate highly the grant of ASOO from the Royal Geological Society, which is substantial evidence of the society’s belief in tho geographical value of tho work contemplated. On that score, also, abundant testimony was provided in tho speeches of those who took part in the discussion which followed my lecture before the Royal Geographical Society. I have every sympathy with the British desire to reach tho South Polo, but I was pleased at the way in _ which the speakers on that occasion united in approving of tbe idea of this expedition, the objects of which are confined to scientific investigations mainly along the unknown coastline running .through a quarter of tho Antarctic circle. Incidentally I may state that my expedition does not clash, in any way with Captain Scott’s. Our fields of work are quite different; he was fully informed of my plans before ho started for the Antarctic, and tho understanding established between us was of the most cordial character. I refrained from actively pushing my proposals till after bo had got all tho assistance possible from Australia, and I very much appreciate the similar sympathy and support which have been accorded to mo in the United Kingdom.” DR MAWS ON’S SHIP.

During his stay in England Dr Mawson bus purchased for his expedition tho Duncko-huiit ship Aurora, _ which has been serving for many years in the Newfoundland sealing fleet. Concerning this ship ho had excellent reports from experts in Newfoundland, and these reS>rts have been sustained by Captain avis, who commanded tire Nimrod on her homeward voyage, and who frill act as ship’s captain for him. Tho Aurora arrived in the Thames last week, and is now in- dry dock. She is a nice roomy vessel of her doss, only a little smaller than tho Terra Nova, and when refitted ought to provide comfortable quarters on tbe voyage eoutb. There are, of course, a good many alterations to be effected. New and improved accommodation hoc to bo provided both fore and aft; a couple of deck houses have to be erected, including a biological and a general laboratory, and the rigging of the foremast must bo altered to that of a barquentine. Captain Davis will bo in charge of tho work, and it is hoped that in a month or six weeks' time tho Aurora will bo ready to -sail for Australia. Through the kindness of the Danish Government Dr Mawson is obtaining fifty Greenland dogs, which are expected to arrive about July 30th. The provisioning and equipment of the expedition in other ways have already been begun. THE first antarctic aeroplane. There is being constructed for the expedition by tlie Vickens Company an aeroplane, ono of the most powerful machines of its kind ever made. Nickel steel is being employed in its construction to an unusually large: extent in view of the special conditions to be encountered in the Antarctic regions, and the machine is so designed that it can rapidly bo converted into a motor sledge. Lieutenant Watkins, a well-known flier at Brooklands, will accompany tho expedition as aviator. .' , There is a lot to be done before the Aurora gets away, but she ought to reach Hobart in October. There the dogs will bo put ashore, and the ship proceed to

visit Sydney and Melbourne, where extra supplies and coal will be obtained. Afterwards she will return to Hobart, and Dr Mawson hopes to make a start from there in tho latter part of November. “THE ADMIRAL AND ALL HIS CREW.” All told the Aurora will have on board fifty-two men. of whom twenty-seven^will Ire'for the three landing parties it is hoped to establish. Tho principal members of the staff hailing from this side of the world trill be, besides Lieutenant Watkins, Dr Mertz (a science doctor), who was tbe Swiss ski-jump champion in 1903, and who is a skilled mountaineer and ice expert; Mr Frank Wild, who accompanied Sir Ernest Shackletou on the “farthest south’’ journey; and Lieutenant Ninuis, of the Royal Fusiliers. Most of tho staff will be chosen in Australia. From Hobart the Aurora will sail south to meet the Antarctic Continent as nearly as possible due north of the south magnetic pole. There the mainland .station will bo established. Coast survey work trill be pushed forward, and one party will sledge towards the magnetic pole, taking magnetic observations en route. A second party will be landed to tho foot of Adelio Land. It is intended to laud a third party still farther west in tho vicinity of what is known as Knox Land. If sufficient coal is loft in the ship’s hunkers she will continue to steam westward, making observations of tho coastline, till forced bylack of fuel to return to Australia., Then in the following season she will go south again to pick up the landing parties. This is an extensive programme, in some respects more comprehensive than that of other expeditions engaged in the work of Antarctic discovery and research. Its execution depends on a variety of circumstances, not least the discovery of suitable harbours and landing places.