MAWSON’S EXPEDITION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1929, Page 5

MAWSON’S EXPEDITION

DUCHESS OF YORK ON THE discovery. DINNER TO THE LEADER. LONDON, May G. Sir Douglas Afawson, the Australian explorer, who will lead an expedition to the Antarctic towards the end of the year, conducted a party, consisting ol the Duke and Duchess of York, Prince George, the Secretary for the Domiiniuns (Air L. S. Anyery), Sir Granville Eyrie, and Vilhjaimar Stcfansson, on a tour of inspection of the expedition ship Discovery.

Very remote from tlie calm and peace ol sunny London did the Antarctic seem, with its perils and vast wastes of snow and ice, but ..the Duchess was observed to shiver as she visualised the hardships through which ilie explorers must pass. “Will you really be able to-stand the intense cold?’’ asked the Duchess, handling a warm blanket. Sir Douglas laughed, and invited

her to glance at the wool and camelhair clothing, wolf-skin gloves, and boots made from the skull of reindeer. He explained that the fur covering tile skull spreads in all directions., enabling* the feet to grip the show andUiCe. The Duchess displayed?the explorer’s,; spirit of adventure, and Tasted ‘pemmica n. a C inposition of fat and • driedbeef, which will form the.jvxplorerksj. staple diet away from the;ship. .>.

Sir Douglas explained that-.-tlic Dis- : eovery was carrying 40 tons of chiefly British, which will he mented by seal and penguin. .Vi r Sir Douglas proposes to carry two midget-type aeroplanes and to replace i lifeboats by motor-boats. He does not intend taking dogs, as he will not be doing much long sledging.

Fifty participants in former Arctic expeditions gave a dinner to Sir Douglas at Cafe Royal, on t-lio eve of his departure for Australia. Engineer Vice-Admiral R. W. Skelton, who was a member of Captain Scott’s first expedition, presided. The guests represented thirteen Polar expeditions, commencing in 185)9. and included Sir Hubert Wilkins, Captain J. K. Davie?] and Mr Herbert G. Pontine.