PunxELL.—On Antarctic Eaploration. 97 
prise of man to become available for his use. I shall not, however, be 
tempted into this attractive ground, but shall content myself with pointing : 
to its allurements. 
I have not entered upon the details of the proposed expedition, because 
they can be better diseussed in a separate paper. My present aim is to 
direct your attention to an important but neglected subject in which New 
Zealand is specially concerned. This colony has contributed nothing to 
the cause of geographical discovery. Australia has done much, and the 
adventurous feats of travel which have been performed by Eyre, Sturt, 
Stuart, Leichardt, Burke, and other explorers, are such as to justify the 
belief that their names will be perpetually preserved, not only in local but in 
the national memory. It is deeds like these which redeem the colonies from 
the reproach of being engrossed in the selfish-pursuit of wealth; and it is 
by these means alone that we shall become entitled to rank in the eye of 
the future historian with our fellow-countrymen in the older parts of the 
empire. We pride ourselves much upon our industrial successes; upon 
the vastness of our flocks and herds ; upon the immense crops of grain we 
raise ; upon our budding manufactures; the roads, railways, and bridges 
we have built; and all the other manifestations of our material progress ; 
but these things are for ourselves alone, and can claim no higher praise 
than appertains to a man who devotes his life solely and successfully to the 
acquisition of a private fortune. We have as yet done nothing for mankind, 
nothing for the intellectual advancement of our race; we have laid upon 
our baeks none of those mighty but glorious burdens which fall to the lot 
of those who occupy the lofty station of citizens of an ancient and illustrious 
State. 
The physical characteristics of New Zealand have virtually shut its set- 
tlers out from the field of geographical exploration, so far as the country 
itself is concerned ; but, on the other hand, it is the most convenient base 
for operations in the noble arena of research which lies open for our enter- 
prise in the South Polar Seas. No real obstacle stands in the way. 
Experienced officers and men could be got in plenty from the Royal Navy. 
The Home Government would no-doubt willingly lend their services, and - 
the arctic service is so popular in the navy that we should only have to 
pick and choose from amongst the volunteers. I propose that the vessels 
should be manned from the Royal Navy, because it was admitted by all 
competent authorities on the subject that naval discipline tends materially 
to the success of polar exploring expeditions, and is a sure safeguard 
against such misfortunes as those which befel Captain Hall’s expedition in 
the ‘Polaris,’ The scientific staff, however, should consist —. of : 
