ANTARCTICA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16938, 12 January 1923, Page 8

ANTARCTICA.

SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON’S SURVEY. “ That is the question that is always put to me,” said Sir Douglas Mawson, the Antarctic explorer, when asked by a “Dominion” reporter whether he contemplated another expedition to the Polar regions. “Few people seem to realise.” - he Baid, “that the results of the last ex pedition are yet only partly out. it is a very big matter, working up and publishing the detail of such an expedition. 'The war intervened immediately after the last, and over seas service kept me fully employed till the end of 1919. Since then, of course, I have done all that is possible to get the results published, but ther« still remains a great deal to be done A good many sections remain to be traversed in our publicity work. There are zoology, botany, oceanography and geological, geographical and mag netic work, and meteorology. I am not working out all these details my self, for a great many gentlemen are collaborating with me, but as I am general editor, and have undertaken a good deal of it, my time is fully occupied in addition to my professorial work at Adelaide University. “New Zealanders have played a great part in the magnetic records of the expedition. Major Eric Webb, of Wellington, did exceptionally good work as magneticiair, and has since carried that section through to a successful conclusion, desi>ite the interruption of war. His voluminous and detailed' work, which has just now gone to press, will be the next part of the publication to appear. Professor Farr and Mr Skey, of the Magnetic Observatory, Christchurch, have both assisted Mr Webb as far as possible whole of the magnetic work was carried out by New Zealauders, and it will be a very fine record. “ T would like to have a look at the Tasman Glaciers on Mount Cook before I go,” added Sir Douglas Mawson, when asked as to his present movements. “ I do not know whether many New Zealanders realise what interesting geological formations they are. During the sittings of v the Science .Congress I shall deliver a popular lecture on Antarctica, which will be illustrated by kinematographic incidents and scenes of the expedition.”