N.Z. EXPLORERS GUESTS OF AMERICANS FOR EASTER

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28259, 23 April 1957, Page 18

N.Z. EXPLORERS GUESTS OF AMERICANS FOR EASTER

[From

Jo HOLMES MILLER,

Deputy Leader of the New Zealand

Antarctic Expedition)

SCOTT BASE, April 22. On Easter Sunday most members of the New Zealand Antarctic Expedition at Scott Base accepted the invitation extended by the officer in charge of the American base at Hut Point to attend midday dinner and to join with the United States servicemen in the divine service in the “Chapel in the Snow.” Most stayed on during the afternoon to enjoy or suffer, according to taste, a movie, and the hardier delayed their journey back across “the gap” until after another meal and a second film. At one time it appeared that this week’s duty personnel at Scott Base would be provided with the perfect opportunity , of avoiding their chore as Sunday cooks—each Sunday the duty pair for the week takes over all cooking duties, giving Selwyn Bucknell a well-earned rfst. This procedure is the source of much banter during the week, as the pair in question prepare with much consultation of recipe books, much questioning of “Buck,” and eager scanning of the store shelves for the Sunday ordeal. Since a certain pair offered sardines and chocolates for Sunday lunch, and rather dared to offer' pemmican for Sunday dinner, it is not certain whether the ordeal will be suffered by producer or consumer. Whether the good health of all members is attributable to the excellent food at Scott Base, or partly to the soothing effect of the wide open spaces of the Antarctic is debatable; but generally all members have gained in weight, and calls on Dr. George Marsh have been a minimum. The only notable exceptions have been two occasions when the common cold spread like wildfire through the camp, with scarcely

anyone escaping it. This appears contrary to all expectations of Antarctic living, where in the past virus complaints have been unknown, and explorers were considered prone to deficiency complaints only. It was most noticeable that the colds which affected so many in late January coincided with the visit of a ship bringing relief personnel to the American bases, and consequently many visitors to Scott Base. The epidemic of colds from which most are just recovering came after the last visit of the American icebreaker Northwind.