ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2251, 22 April 1897, Page 15

ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

London, April 12. The Times states that the Royal Geographical Society contemplate organising an expedition to the Antarctic regions, relying mainly on private aid for defraying the cost. The society will, however, ask Mr Gosohen to grant a subsidy in the event Of the Admiralty being unable to spare man, officers, or ships for the expedition. A year ago, when the subjeofc was mooted", Mr Gotchen replied thufc the political situation was auch that he could spare neither men nor ships for an An' arctic expedition, but recently he has aik"d for particulars of what is likely to bo needed for suoh an expedition. In reply he has been informed that probably two ships would be required for a three years' commission, with a. maximum number of 300 officer* and men. A« Mr Go r ohen has always shown great *ympat;hy for Antarctic work a favourable answer is anticipated. If, however, the British Government, though sympathetic, should bs unable from financial or political reasons to send an expedition, Dr Murray (of the Challenger expedition) advocates either s. private British expedition or a big international one It should spend the flrab summer in spudding the whole Antarctic Ocean fouth of" ltttito.de 60drg. A landing party, Dr Mnrray thinks, would probably ooon travel to the ficnth Pole, a« it would bs comparativelj easy to cross land ice.