ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 469, 30 March 1909, Page 6

ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

MR. CLEMENT WRACCE'S THEORIES. ROMANCE OF SCIENCE. Cut teleguai'u—snciiL cimimspn.'inMT I Auckland, March 29. In tho course of an article specially written for- the "Star," Mr. Clement Wraggo thus refers to Lieut. Shackleton's Antarctic expedition, and gives his own conclusions therefrom: — Tho prevailing blizzard from the southward in those latitudos proves that while the blizzard lasted around latitude 87dcg. 30min. and between longitude llodog. and 85deg., a groat low-pressure system existed

near the centre of which would bo a region of calms, and that on the opposite side of

this cyclonic region of low pressure there would bo an inflowing of comparatively mild winds from the north. Henco the conclusion is arrived at that tho northerly currents may, as it were, be gradually undermining the high polar plateau of snow and.ice, and that a time may conio in tho far distant future when the weight of this plateau may give way and cause such a tidal wave- as may produce far-reaching and disastrous results. Such especially, it is reasoned, would be brought about by the gradual _ secular changes in tho inclination of tho axis of the earth to tho plane of its orbit, for as a mild climate once undoubtedly existed within or near tho Polar Circle, such conditions will probably again obtain ere our planet reaches what may bo called the "dead stage." _ I. consider that the meteorological observations are particularly valuable as bearing upon tho climate of the Australasian area. Probably tho polar low pressure circulates or gyrates around the Pole itself, circumnavigating the polar area about latitude 88deg., with high pressure or anti-cyclonic wedges in between. Thus probably the Antarctic V-shaped disturbances that rule Southern Australian, Southern New Zealand, and Patagonian and Terra Del Fuegan weather, aro extensions of, or tongues from, tho main low pressures gyrating around tho South Polo, and that those Antarctic "V's" circumnavigate high latitudes is very probable. It would be interesting to know in tlyjs connection what other winds were observed by Lieut. Shackleton, and how long any ono big blizzard from tho south continued, and its degrees of intensity, as bearing upon tho barometric gradients, and disturbances

People need not worry about the Antarctic tidal wave before referred to, since it may not occur till after a thousand years havo elapsed. Still tho conclusion is inevitable, and when it docs happen it will tear through tho Atlantic with such force as even to endanger the British Isles. . Then a now epoch will set in. Regarding geological results, I regard them as particularly valuable. Wβ have already seen that the coal measures prove tho existence of a onco mild climate, but as a student of radio-activity, I am immensely interested in the. discovery, as reof monazite. Thorium comes from monazite, and thorium is radio-activo, having a very closo connection with tho most radib-activo of all substances—radium. Possibly some of the specimens secured by Profossor David may contain pitch, blends, from which radium is derived, and which contains lead and other metals, and mineral substances as impurities, and is also composed largely of oxides of iron and . uranium. I should like to know more- about that "black mineral" that was discovered. One thing loads on to another, and it will bo a romance indeed if radium is found to exist within the Antarctic Circle . CONGRATULATIONS. CBY TILIGUAMI—rIIESS ASSOCIATION.! Christchurch, March 29. . Arnoiig many cables and telegrams received by Lieutenant Shackleton to-day were the following:— " Having myself been away from civilisation, telegraph, and newspapers, have only just learnt of your triumphant , return. Most hearty congratulations to yourself, officers, and crow. Trust I may have opportunity of meeting you before you leave the Dominion. —Phinkot."

"Berlin Geographical Society sends best congratulations to your excellent success and heartbeat invitation to report in our society, possibly in October. —Wiahnschaffe, President." THE NIMROD'S VOYAGE HOME. (BI TELEGRAPH—PKESS ASSOCIATION.) "*■ ■ ■ Christchurch, March 29: Mr. J. K. Davis, who has acted as first officer of the Nimrbd ever since she was placed in commission for tho purpose- of tho expedition, takes command of the Nimrod as from to-day, Captain Evans having signed off. Mr. Davis is to take tho Nimrod Home via Sydney and (possibly) Melbourne. Dr. Marshall accompanies Lieutenant Shacldeton to Wellington to-night. PROPOSED PUBLIC WELCOME. (Br TELEGItAI'H—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, March 29. A large and representative meeting of citizens decided to accord a public welcome and reception to the members of the British Antarctic Expedition, and set up a committee to arrange details. Whilst the committee was discussing preliminaries, Lieutenant Adams, ono of the members of the Far South party, attended, and stated that after Wednesday Lieutenaait Shackleton would bo the only member of the expedition in Christclmrch. In view of the brief period at their disposal the committee decided to abandon the proposed reception. "HURRAH, NIM. I" (BI TELEGRAM— SI-ECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Dunedin, March 29. The Nirarod expedition is evidently causing widespread interest throughout tho Empire. Mr. Mackay, of Riploy and Mackay, a largo manufacturing firm operating in Cochin China, cabled to Mr. T. B. Fairbairn, of this city, asking him to convoy to tho members of tho expedition the following hearty congratulations:—"Hurrah, Nim.!" Mr. Fairbairn telegraphed the messago to Lieutenant Shackleton to-day.