ANTARCTIC SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22101, 3 November 1933, Page 10

ANTARCTIC SOCIETY

AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION ACQUISITION OP THE DISCOVERY. (Per United Press Association.! WELLINGTON, November 2. The inaugural meeting of the New Zealand Antarctic Society to-night was largely attended. The chairman, Mr A. Leigh Hunt, suggested that in addition to interesting itself in the natural history of the Antarctic and giving aid to expeditions the Society should endeavour to secure for the Dominion Captain Scptt’s old ship, the Discovery, as an ocean survey and training ship and relief vessel for any expedition. 'He stated that the Discovery was owned by the Falkland Islands Government, which now had no further use for her. and she was lying idle at the Dead Man’s berth in London. It was also suggested that the soqiety should advocate the establishment of meteorological stations in southern lands. Mr Hunt stated that Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and South America might all contribute to the cost of these stations, which would enable early forecasts of weather to bo made. Officers of the society were elected as follows: —Patrons —Sir Douglas Mawson, Rear-admiral Byrd, Admiral Evans; vicepatrons—Mr Forbes, Mr Coates, Sir Fred eriek Chapman, Sir Joseph Kinsey; president, Mr Justice Ostler; vice-presidents —Mrs Ferrar, Messrs R. Simmers and RA. Falla; council —Messrs W. R. Oliver, A. A. Kirk, F. S. Pope, L. B. Quartermain, A. E. Mabin, J. Pearce Luke, A. J. Toogood, B. L. Donne. A. Leigh Hunt, Dr Graham Robertson, Mr D. J. Henderson, Captain P. Whiteford, Miss E. M. Black, Mesdames K. Prestoh, and G. B. Wilson; secretary, Mr C. "E. Collins; lantern operators, Messrs A. J. Bland and E. J. Hubbard.