SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1929, Page 8

SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON

FIORDLAND OF NEW ZEALAND. LONDON, March 27. Sir Douglas Mawson, who is in England in connexion with the Commonwealth Antarctic lectured this week under the auspices of the Royal Geographical Society. The greater portion of his address had to do with the sub-Antarctic Islands and the Antarctic expeditions with which he has been connected, hut first of all he spoke of the Fiords of New Zealand. Obviously, his sojourn in the sounds on geological work has made him an enthusiast for this remarkable part ol the world. His collection of photographs and moving pictures is a very fine one, and a large audience at the Polytechnic Theatre had an opportunity not only of hearing of the marvels of Fiordland hut also of seein"' something, of them through the medium of the cinema camera. Sir Douglas devoted a few words to the economic aspect of the West Coast. It was one of the- most valuahh* parts of the British Empire, ho said. He mentioned his idea of tapping the high-'evel cold lakes by means of a tunnel through the mountains to the sounds, thus releasing untold power for hvdro-electrie installations. The greatest ships afloat could come up to the water’s edge and carry away whatever produce might he manufactured. Tie instanced the fixation of nitri'gen as ‘a possible industry. Further pictures illustrated a number of the cold lakes. the Milford track, and the various glaciers. Moving pictures of some of the waterfalls were received with appreciative applause. T,miving Now Zealand, the lecturer took bis audience south to the Maerpiarrie Islands, and afterwards to the Antarctic Continent, more interesting still, that of tlm showing the life of the exp'orers, and. seals, sea elephants, penguins, and other wild inhabitant of the Southern Seas.