Report of Chairman of Antarctic Research Committee

The Committee was established by a resolution of the Council at its Half-yearly Meeting in November, 1955 The constitution and personnel of the Committee are dealt with in this year's Report of the Standing Committee.

The Committee met on February 15, 1956, discussed its terms of reference, objectives, and relations to other bodies, and determined to set up an advisory panel of specialists to cover all branches of Antarctic science.

The Committee has offered its services in an advisory capacity to the N.Z. Transantarctic Expedition Inc. Ross Sea Committee, which has agreed to maintain close liaison on scientific matters and to keep the Antarctic Research Committee informed of its plans for scientific work during the coming expedition. As yet, the Committee has not been informed of the expedition's scientific programme. To avoid overlapping, the New Zealand I.G.Y. Committee has been invited to keep the Antarctic Research Committee informed of its research programme. On the recommendation of the Committee, the Standing Committee instructed the Secretary of the Royal Society of New Zealand to offer the services of the A.R.C for consultation on scientific matters to the N.Z Government Cabinet Committee on Antarctica.

Physical Sciences. Recognising that geophysical work in Ross Dependency for the time being falls within the terms of reference of another committee of the Royal Society, the I.G.Y. Committee, the A.R.C decided to postpone consideration of all physical sciences until informed of the details of the I. G.Y. plans and programme.

Geological Sciences. For the geological sciences, including glaciology, the Committee requested the Geological Survey of New Zealand to appoint a specialist panel to prepare a survey of what is known of the geology of Ross Dependency, with a statement of projects for the future.

Biological Sciences. Acting on a resolution of the Committee, the Chairman wrote to 26 specialists in branches of biology inviting each of them to join an advisory panel and to prepare a survey of knowledge in his or her specialist field in the Ross Dependency, supported by a bibliography and, if possible, checklist, leading to a statement of projects for future research and of useful work that could be undertaken by non-specialist members of the currently planned expeditions to Mc Murdo Sound.

Most of the specialists approached have agreed to join the panel and assist the A.R. C. in its plans. There remain some gaps in Zoology (Radiolarta; Porifera; Nemertinea, Nematoda) and notable gaps in Botany (Diatoms; lower fresh-water plants, lower testrial plants) for which no specialist advisers have yet been appointed.

The Committee hopes to compile the reports of its specialist panel for use of members of the Transantarctic Expedition (N.Z.) Inc. during the coming year and to serve as a basis for future long-term plans for research in Ross Dependency.

The plans announced publicly during the past few months for establishment of a base station in Mc Murdo Sound for use by the Transantarctic Expedition and by the N.Z. International Geophysical Year Expedition give encouragement to the hope that prospects for scientific work in Ross Dependency during the coming years are very bright. The A.R.C thus enters on its tasks with confidence in their increasing importance for the scientific exploration of New Zealand's Antarctic Dependency. C. A. Fleming, Chairman R.S.N.Z A.R.C.

In presenting this report Dr. Fleming stated that although the work had not as yet gone very far this committee promised to be well worth while.

Dr. Falla stated that the work proposed does include glaciology.

The meeting adjourned at 12.30 for lunch, when the visiting members of the Council were the guests of the Wellington members.

On resuming at 2 p. m the roll-call was as for the morning session.