ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9102, 30 May 1908, Page 4

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

Exploring the Antarctic Continent is evidently becoming fashionable. A cablegram on Thursday stated that Dr. Jean Charcot's expedition will start in August to explore between King Edward VII. Land and Graham Land. In addition, Dr. Bruce, of Scotland, is trying to arrange an expedition, and others are in contemplation. Dr. Charcot's expedition will be absent two years. In view of contingencies, however, they will have with the.n sufficient provisions to last for three years. Ihe expedition is bent on scientific work. They will try to get as near the Pole as possible, but if they fail they will do everything possible to cover as much as they can of the Antarctic continent, and to bring back with them as much information as they can acquire. "There can be no doubt that the best r.>ute to the Pole is by way of the Rosa Barrier," said Dr. Charcot, when outlining his plaii3 recently, "but this we regard as belonging to English explorers, and I do not propose to trespass on other people's grounds. On reaching the Antarctic it is my plan to return to our old grounds in Graham Land, and en leavour to reach Alexander Land, wherj we hope to find a barrier similar to that of Ross'. We should then endeavour to go as far south as possible, or to follow as near as practicable to King Edward's Land. An important part of j our equipment will be motor sl»dges" The scientific staff, in addition to Dr. Charcot, will number three naval officers, t-vo zoologists, one geologist, and Otis scientist for magnetic and photographic work. With regard to the funds of the expedition, the French Chambers have already voted 3()0,000fr. (£12,000), while another sum of equal amount will also be voted by the French Parliament. Private subscript : ons have already yielded fis,ooofr. (£2,600), and Dr. Charcot is endeavouring tj get a further 85,000fr. (.£3,400).