THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 901, 22 August 1910, Page 6

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

— 1 PROPOSED TIDAL OBSERVATIONS. The forthcoming expedition into tho Antarctic regions, wluch is - to bo carried out by Captain' Scott, prompted adeputation from the Philosophical Society to wait upon the Minister for Marine (the. Hon. J. A. Millar) on Saturday with a suggestion that advantage should be taken of the expedition to havo tidal observations made at tho expedition's base. Tho deputation, which was introduced by Mr. G. M. Thomson, M.P., consisted of Messrs. A. Hamilton and C. E. Adams. " The speakers pointed out that tidal observations wore now taken in New Zealand for tho British Admiralty, and in order to increase tho value of these and perhaps learn much of tho tideway throughout the world, it was suggested tlmt the Government should pro\ido' Captain Scott's expedition with a tide gauge, The estimated cost of tho apparatus' (£2O) was trifling in view of the importance of tho investigations. Tho proposed gauge was on the model of that in use. in the Wellington Harbour, which had an advantage in so far as it only had to bo attended to onto a day. The Hon. J. A. Millar said tho cost of the gauges imported by,the Government was £40. " He thought it very possible that tho .Terra Nova would already be fitted up with tho apparatus, and before taking any steps ho considered it would bo bettor- to wait until sho arrived. Ho knew tho advantages the information would bring, but "he did not want to spend money needlessly. The Government had ■ already given £1000 to the expedition. If tho Torra' Nova had not tho nccessa.ry apparatus tho Government could very well bonoiv a gauge from one of tho harbour boards.' If Captain Scott would undertake the work and supply tho information to the Marine Department a gaugo could bo supplied.