RESEARCH IN THE ANTARCTIC

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1931, Page 5

RESEARCH IN THE ANTARCTIC

DOMINION’S PART

PROPOSED PARTY OF SCIENTISTS. WELLINGTON. March 14. At the invitation of his Excellency the Governor-General. Lord Bledisloe. who is a keenly interested member of the committee, a meeting of the New Zealand Polar Year Committee was held at Government House on Thursday. His Excellency presided, and the following were present: —Mr G. Sliirtclifi'e. chairman of the Council of Seientifec and Industrial Research, the Hon. G. M. Thomson. Dr E. Marsden, M essrs tY. It. B. Oliver and A. E. HeL ford .Professors Soimnerville and Flor.. ance, and the Secretary, Dr E. Kidson. Apologies for absence were received from Professor C. Coleridge Farr, president of the New Zealand fnstitute. Sir J. Kinsey, the Survvevor-Genei'al. Professor W. N. Benson (Otago) and Professor P. W. Burbidge (Auckland). SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. The main business of the meeting was a report by the secretary, Dr Kidson, on the ‘present status of the scheme for the International Polar Year, 1932-33. It was made abundantly dear that the scientific world was most anxious that New Zealand should undertake an expedition to a station on the Antarctic Continent or on one of the sub-Antarctic islands. The financial difficulties in the way of such a scheme were fully appreciated by the European and American authorities, but they themselves were suffering from the same disabilities, yet, nevertheless. were undertaking very extensive and costiv researches.

The scheme includes the publication and discussion ns well n.s the making of observations. The principal researches will he in terrestial magnetism, aurora, atmospherical electricity, the upper atmosphere, solar and terrestrial radiation, and general meteorology. Many nations have expressed their intention of taking part, and programmes of the following being briefly outlined to the meeting:—Great Britain, Germany, Norway. Holland, Sweden. Russia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Canada, and the United States, that undertaken by Russia being larger than that of any other country. These programmes assure a very complete network of stations in North Polar regions. The work in the Antarctic will not be so complete, but further developments are possible. WORTH AN EFFORT.

'file committee was very much impressed with the importance and potential value of the proposed researches. Though they were undertaken purely in the pursuit of knowledge, it was certain that results of extreme practical and economic importance must ultimately ensue.

It. was therefore felt that, in spite of the existing financial stringency, every effort should be made to ensure that Now Zealand should take an adequate part in the scheme. The committee resolved to direct all its energies towards the establishment of a New Zealand expedition on one of the suh-Antarctic islands. It is probable that Macquarie Island, the southernmost of the islands to the immediate south of New Zealand, where there are already lints available which, after renovation, would prove suitable for occupation, would be the one chosen. It is contemplated that the party should consist of six to eight specially trained young scientists. There are a number of important, researches that could be carried out at Macquaiii Island. Scientists are particularly anxious, for instance, that the height of the Aurora Australis should be determined by photographic means. This is a difficult work which has not hitherto been accomplished. Numbers of determinations have been made in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is probable that there are very important differences between the Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis. Another direction in which information is urgently wanted is regarding the conditions of temperature, humidity, and movement of the upper atmosphere. A number of suggestions for the raising of the necessary funds were discussed, and this matter is to be taken up immediately by a sub-com-mittee. Before concluding the meeting Mr Shirtcliffe thanked his Excellency for consenting to be present and to occupy the chair, and for the valuable advice he had been able to give the committee.