DISCOVERY EXPEDITION

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1925, Page 4

DISCOVERY EXPEDITION

I’ll ERA RATIONS AT SOUTH G FROG I A.

LONDON, December 1. .More time than was anticipated is

>eing devoted to the overhaul and re■onstruelion of the ship Discovery, so dial it will he some months yet before lie new expedition, commanded by dent.-Commander J. It. Stenhouse, viII set out for the Antarctic. The irimarv purpose for the expedition is ■esearch in whaling at Smith Georgia uid the South Shetland*, hut general :cientific work affecting oceanography, Meteorology. and magnetism will he •arried out. If time permits, it is proposed that in her first voyage the Discovery

should proceed to Stanley, Falkland Islands, carrying out a programme of scientific observations on the way; and that from Stanley she should proceed to South Georgia, arriving there about the commencement of the whaling season in October, 192 d. In the meantime a marine station in connexion with the expedition is being established at Crytviken, South Georgia. The plans were prepared at home and the building was constructed in sections in this country to facilitate erection locally. Provision has also been made for a laboratory, and a considerable portion of the necessary scientific equipment has been shipped. Simultaneously with the erection of the marine station, a wireless station, and other buildings belonging to the Colonial Government, are being constructed under contract with the .Marconi Company and the necessary technical stall, under the orders of a superintending engineer, have bent sent from England.

The scientific staff at the marine station will consist of three zoologists and a hydrologist, with a laboratory assistant, namely:—Zoologists: X. A. .Mackintosh (in charge), .T. E. G. Wheeler, L. H. Matthews; hydrologist: A. Clowes ; laboratory assistant; A. Saunders. Mr X. A. .Mackintosh has already left for South Georgia, and the other members of the stafi are expected to sail from Liverpool this week. Pending the completion of the repairs to the Discovery, the remaining members of the scientific staff are engaged in London in necessary preparatory work in connexion with the expedition, and the captain of the Discovery together with the chief officer, are engaged in similar work in connexion with the ship.

The officers who have already been appointed are as follows: Director of research. S. W. Kemp; zoologists. A. C. Hardy.- J. E. Hamilton; H. If. Gunther; hydrologist. IT. F. P. Herdman; commanding officer, Lieut-Coin-maiuler J. R. Stenhoiise: medicaj officer, Lieut.-Cilonel K. H. Maraltnll ; chief officer, Earnest E. F. Letts.