Wireless to the Pole.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 13, 28 September 1910, Page 6

Wireless to the Pole.

Some time ayo the Council of the Canterbury Philosophical Institute, prompted by a letter from Dr. Mawson, a member of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition, wrote to Sir Joseph Ward, bringing under his notice the advantages of establishing an installation for wireless telegraphy on the southern coast of New Zealand, of sufficient power to be able to communicate with the mainland of the Antarctic Continent. Sir Joseph Ward has replied, stating that it is the intention of the Government to instal a 'limb power station at or near the Bluff, with a range of 1.250 nautical miles, under all conditions in the day time. He adds that at night probably communication will be practicable over a much greater distance, even up to 2,590 mile-’. To obtain any communication from such d’rstamers from either sea or land would require an equipment that is not usual on any ships, and he .-ays that the installation proposed nt or near the Bluff will, therefore, be more than sufficient

for any probable requirement at presents Members of the Council of Philosophical Institute express Isatisfecvion iat the Prime Minister’s announcement.

Mr R. M. Laing, president of the institute, says that Captain Scott probably would have made arrangements to tak© an effective apparatus if he had thought that a corresponding station would be established in New Zealand. Mr Laing points out the value of the scheme in case the explorers found that it was necessary to summon help. It is doubtful, however, he adds, if the institute can do anything now to make the pTflfc posal practicable, as far as C-aptaiß Scott’s expedition is concerned. It is* not known, for one thing, how far th© Government’s arrangements have been •pushed forward, or to what extent Captain Scott would be able to cooperate, if the Bluff station is available for use while he is in the Antarctic.

Dr. (’. Coleidge Farr expresses an opinion that if it was a question of obtaining funds the difficulties could be swept away by making a special appeal to the public on behalf of the expedition and of science generally, lie describes the idea as a good one, but he thinks that it is doubtful if the station at the Bluff will be established in timq to be of service to Captain Scott. Appermanent combined meteorologicl and cutties in the way are insurmountable. Dr. Mawson, Dr. Farr adds, intends next year to go with a party of Australian scientists to the northern coasts of the Antarctic Continent, which is several hundred miles nearer than McMurdo Sound, and he has no doubt that communication could be maintained from the Bluff with the members of that expedition.

Mr R. Speight, secretary of the institute, favours the establishment of a permanent combined meterological and wireless observatory in the Antarctic. He points out that the Argentine Government has a permanent meteorological station on the South Orkneys, in the Antarctic region, on the other side of th© globe. He feels that Australia and New, Zealand should not be behind the South American Republic in this respect. He states that Dr. Mawson’s expedition will explore the region west of Cape Ad are, to ascertain how a gap in the northern' coast line of the Continent shown in the map should be filled in.