18 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 



in London at present, naturally expresses some surprise at the 

 conduct of the Australasian Geographical Society, which originally 

 approached him with reference to the undertaking. The only 

 condition which he required was that Australia should contribute 

 <£5,000, and he would do all else that was necessary. He estimates 

 that for a suitable expedition, even on a comparatively small scale, 

 something like £15,000 would be wanted. Two of the powerful 

 Norwegian sealing vessels, specially constructed for ice navigation 

 could be purchased for £7,000. A complete equipment of scien- 

 tific instruments would probably cost £1,000 ; but Baron Dickson 

 believes that such an equipment would be willingly supplied by 

 the Swedish Government. At least one of the ships would have 

 to be furnished with provisions and other supplies for two years, 

 in case of accident : while the equipment of the second ship, the 

 payment of crews, and other expenses would not leave a large 

 balance out of the remaining £8,000. Baron Dickson would con- 

 tribute £5,000, and would take upon himself the responsibility of 

 obtaining the remainder. The bulk of it, he believes, he could 

 obtain in Sweden and Norway, though he might give the Royal 

 Geographical Society an opportunity of contributing, if it cared 

 to do so. At all events if the Australians will find the moderate 

 sum of £5,000, Baron Dickson is willing to be responsible for the 

 balance. Although Baron Nordenskjold had made up his mind 

 to go on no more adventurous expeditions, yet his objections have 

 been overcome, and he is willing to undertake the leadership of 

 this expedition and take with him his son, who has proved himself 

 of the right metal in a recent journey to Spitsbergen . With 

 Baron Nordenskjold as leader, success might almost be said to be 

 secured. The plan was to send one ship as far south as possible, 

 say to the neighbourhood of Mount Erebus. There the expedition 

 would spend a whole year making regular observations, and carry- 

 ing out explorations as far as practicable. The second ship would 

 take up its station at the island of South Georgia, there to be 

 ready for any emergency. Baron Dickson has thus made every 



