VOYAGE OF THE QUEST

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 2, 27 September 1921, Page 5

VOYAGE OF THE QUEST

EXPEDITION’S MAIN LINES OF RESEARCH MAGNETIC CONDITIONS AND METEOROLOGY / By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, September 25. Just prior to the sailing pf the Quest, Mr. Af'Leod, a member of the last Shackleton expedition, visited the ship and signed on as a member of the expedition. Sir Ernest Shackleton, in a special article in "The Times,” explains the economic importance of the Dominions in ths Southern Hemisphere. The two broad lines of research, to which the expedition will devote its energies,’ are magnetism and meteorology. The correction of errors in the magnetic conditions and tho resulting improvement of charts are highly important in! these days of fast steamers. Tho total saving of time and money through more accurate chaa-ts and accurate meteorology will be enormous. The Southern Hemisphere depends on a knowledge of Antarctic weather, from which can be furnished rainfall predictions for the benefit of stock-raisers in the Dominions. The fresh knowledge thus acquired, with the assistance of wireless, will enable farmers and breeders to know the weather ahead. Sir Ernest also hopes to lay down lines for the development of air services.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [According to a message to the Sydney "Sun," Sir Ernest Shackleton’s final message to the reporters before tho Quest cast off at London was, "This Is my last ijrip, but it -has been my dream for years. The Quest is the tightest ship that has ever ventured into <he Polar Seas. With ordinary luck we should wrest from the Antarctic many of its grimly-held secrets. We hope to do much towards making the,vast Aittarctie tracts more familiar to those who follow us.”]