EXPLORING THE ANTARCTIC

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1510, 18 March 1887, Page 2

EXPLORING THE ANTARCTIC

At the ordinary general meeting of the Victorian branch of the Royal Geographical Soolcty of Aoatralaßla, held recoutly 4 the joint committee on Antarctic explorations (acoording to the " Argua ") preaonted a progress report. They stated that they tad recaived letters from gentlemen connected with the whaling interest m Europe confirming the Committee la the impression that that the North Sea fisheries, which have long been falling, wore now nearly profitless, Admiral Ommaney was strongly of opinion that only the Mother Country could adequ»tely equip and conduct a suitable scientific expedition to the AnUrctio regions, vrhfoh mmt be naval, bub he regarded with favor the proposal of &n Australian pioneer expedition m a stoam whaler, and thought that the results might be extremely valuable. There would be plenty of time to carry out this idea. Captain Gray or Sir A. Young might be indaoed to undertake a whaling expedition to the South Polar Seas, and ■ to parry jjblthor two or three oompetent observers, Turing this view,the Committee rocommondod the Government to advertise for tenders, for a bonus, to bo given to any oteam whaler which would oarry a few aoientifio passengers, ft id bring to Melbourne Ant&rotlo products of a certain value, besides effecting . a landing on the mainland near Mount Erebos. Tho report was received wild applause, and Barou von Mtiellnr uxpretßed the hopa that the work Of esulorat|ou wpyld by begun tIJM ?eap.