24 A. LIVERSIDGE. 



value as well as of scientific importance, especially with reference 

 to the whaling and sealing pursuits. 



One reason why I draw attention to this matter is that, when in 

 England in 1887, Admiral Sir E. Ommanney urged the importance 

 of this investigation upon me and requested me to lay the matter 

 before you, and although it is more than two years ago, this is the 

 first fitting opportunity I have had since the appearance of the 

 Committee's last report and the conclusion, for the time being, of 

 correspondence with the Imperial Government. I trust that when 

 the time comes this Society will take the matter up and do all 

 within its power to further the proposal, as it is a matter well 

 worthy of its attention and one in which its assistance would be 

 useful. An Antarctic Exploration committee was appointed by 

 our own Science Association at its first meeting in Sydney in 

 1888, but no report was presented at the following meeting, the 

 committee was, however, re-appointed, and it will doubtless have 

 some report to lay before the New Zealand meeting. The subject 

 is one of such great interest and importance that it should not be 

 allowed to drop and be forgotten ■ unfortunately the cost of the 

 proposed expedition must necessarily be much more than the 

 <£1 0,000 first suggested. 



Reports to the British Association — The Committee of the British 

 Association consisted of Sir Joseph D. Hooker, f.r.s., Sir George 

 Nares, f.r.s., Mr. John Murray, f.r.s., General J. T. Walker, 

 Admiral Sir Leopold McClintock, f.r.s., Mr. Clements Markham 

 and Admiral Sir Erasmus Ommanney, f.r.s. (Secretary), and were 

 appointed for the purpose of drawing attention to the desirability 

 of further research in the Antarctic Regions. The Committee 

 reported at the Birmingham meeting in 1886, that having given 

 full consideration to the great importance of effecting a further 

 exploration of the Antarctic Polar Sea, they desire in the first 

 place, to express their opinion that it would be most essential, 

 before approaching H.M. Government with the view of urging 

 an expedition such as would be required for the carrying out an 

 exploration of such magnitude, interest, and importance, that 



