Science puts sub-Antarctic islands on the map

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 54, 9 July 1974, Page 9

Science puts sub-Antarctic

islands on the map

New Zealand's subAntarctic islands have always held a fascination for many people even though they are rather inhospitable to visitors. They have had an interesting history, including visits in the 19th century by sealers and whalers. The islands have also claimed many ships, including the General Grant, wrecked on the Auckland Islands, and the famous saga of its cargo of gold bullion which to this day has never been recovered. Then there was the illfated attempt made to farm the Auckland Islands early this century, an effort doomed to disaster from

the start. Until recently, New Zealand's main activity in its * remote territories was in maintaining a meteorological station , on Campbell Island, but in recent years there has been an upsurge of interest in these islands. For this reason the Department of Lands and Survey, in collaboration with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, is bringing up to date all existing maps of these territories.Some islands, such as the Bounty Islands, had never been mapped. In fact, the only map of the Bounties was on a chart, made by the Government vessel Hinemoa in 1886, which is not only out

of date but also out of proportion. The department, wanting adequate maps of all New Zealand's island territories, asked the RNZAF if it could take aerial photographs when on reconnaissance flights in subAntarctic waters and to the . north of New Zealand. The RNZAF was happy to oblige and, using Oripn aircraft and its own photx>graphers, took accurafe aerial photographs of the Snares, Antipodes, Bounty, Auckland and Campbell Islands in the sub-Antarctic and the Kermadecs, Tokelaus and some of the Cook Islands to the north of New Zealand. Apart from the need to

have adequate mapping of these sub-Antarctic islands, the department is well aware of the increased interest now being shown in them. Not everyone wants to try to recover the gold from the General Grant, although unsuccessful attempts have been made from time to time, but the islands are proving an E1 Dorado for scientists studying wildlife. Several visits have been made in the past two years to the Auckland and Anti-

podes Islands, in particular, • and accurate mapping- is highly important. That magic word, oil, is luring exporation groups into the harsh waters of the South Pacific — especially around the Chatham Islands and running down to the Antipodes and Bounty Islands. , Perhaps the most imporstant reason of all for mapping the sub-Antarctic territories is for navigation. There is increased traffic between New Zealand and the Antarctic, especially by

ships of Deep Freeze, but if. anything goes wrong To a vessel it will be able to run safely for shelter knowing it is not heading for unmapped territory. The department intends to do topographical maps of the islands similar to those of the NZMS 1 series showing contours, as well as reefs, rocks and shoals above sea level, which have been responsible for many a good ship finishing her life in the waters surrounding these bleak and lonely islands.