EXPLORING ANTARCTICA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 83, 28 September 1911, Page 5

EXPLORING ANTARCTICA

CAPTAIN SCOTT'S CHANCES. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Fremantle, September 27. Frank Wild, a member of Dr. Mawson's expedition, has arrived. He expressed the opinion that, taking all things into consideration, Captain Scott has a better chance than Captain Amundsen of reaching the Pole first.

DR. .MAWSON'S PLAXS. \ SEEKING HARBORS AND COALFIELDS. Sydney, September 9. To the hard-headed man of business Dr. Mawson's expedition to Antarctica will commend itself far beyond any of its predecessors. For the object that the young explorer has in view is not to strain towards reaching the South Pole, but to see whether the coast line of Antarctica cannot furnish some strong claim towards settlement and economic development. Though Dr. Mawson does not say so in actual words, those who have listened to an expression of his hopes and aspirations can see in the distance the annexation of the Commonwealth, its colonisation by Australians; and the rapid development of a trade in oil, seal-skins, coal, and possibly other minerals. Coal is known to exist in Antarctica, and, as Dr. Mawson points out, provided there arc good shipping facilities, a coal mine in Antractica close to the ocean would be of great value, because the product cculd be more cheaply carried thence to Perth than as at present from Xewcastle to Perth. Few people realise that Antarctica is only ten days' steam from Australia. A great reception was accorded Dr. Mawson when he arrived in Sydney by the inter-State express. He was accompanied by Mr. T. Ryan, M.L.A. (chairman of the South Australian University Education Royal Commission). There were many old friends, scientists and officials who had gathered at the railway station to welcome the young explorer. And he was a busy man, too. He spent the morning in interviewing the Premier -—and he states Mr. McGowen gave him encouragement—and also Mr. 11. R.' Denison, chairman of the Australasian Wireless Company, who lias offered to provide the expedition with a wireless outfit.

"The impression has got abroad," he remarked, "that this expedition is aiming to reach the South Pole. No such thing. Wo shall probably never be nearer than 1100 miles from the coast line, or within a few hundred miles of it. The interior of that continent is a sea of ice, and there is nothing to be gained in exploring it except certain scientific knowledge, and that is being gathered by the Scott expedition. But the portion of Antarctica that we are going to, adjacent to Australia, is entirely unknown, and there may be not only much scientific knowledge to be gained there, but it also may lead to the settlement of that region. Even if there is nothing to be found there excepting hair, sc.'il- and oil whales—the establishment of such an industry would alone be of great importance. On the other side of Antarctica, opposite South America, precisely the same industry is being pursued by five different companies, which have been working for years. <ind their annual profits exceed 60 per cent, upon the capital invested! What we require in older to establish an industry of that kind is a rendezvous or harbor where they could boil down their products. What we are going to do is to find such harbors, and to make a detailed map of the coast." "Then, as to your plans?" suggested the pressman.

"Well, we will leave Hobarf. on or about the last day of November, and will return about April, 1(113. The expedition will consist of 52 members, of whom 27 will comprise the shore party, and the remainder will be attached to the ship, which will fill in the time by exploring the ocean between Australia and Antarctica. The personnel of the party will be announced very shortly. Yes; T have raised more than half the funds."

"And if you don't got all you re quire?"

]>r. Mawson smiled. "Well." he said. "wp would just land in Antarctica, and wait for the flovcrnmcnt or the public to fetch us hack." It was evident, however, that Dr. Mawson is confident the money required will he forthcoming. "Do yon expect that Antarctica can be colonised?"

"Why not?" The question came back in a tones of challenge. "If a coal mine can be discovered close to a port in Antarctica you could have that coal landed at Fromantle at £\ per ton. There would be plenty of men who could be got to go there to work for an ordinary wage. It is such a healthy climate. And there is no need to eat 'tinned dog,' as on some of the West Australian goldfields. You could have fresh meat all the time. All you have to do is to sling the meat on to your roof, and it is quite as good a year hence."

Dr. Mawson explained that the ship he had secured—the Aurora —was an Arctic whaler, and a sister ship to Captain Scott's vessel. The Aurora is now Hearing Capetown, and after calling there for coal will proceed to Hobart, where the dogs will be temporarily landed and the apparatus and stores overhauled. In the meantime, the ship will come to Sydney and be docked. Subsequently she will return to Hobart possibly calling at .Melbourne—and then start for Antarctica.