Next Stop Antarctica

Circular Letter. ‘To the Householder’, Dunedin Antarctic Appeal Committee, [1955].

The public were enthusiastic to support the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955–1958. The New Zealand government reluctantly contributed £50,000 for the programme. This circular letter went to local households, explaining that a further £10,000 was needed. Dunedin appeal chair J. M. Ritchie (1907–1981) wrote:

‘The committee is confident that no man, or woman, who has a spark of enterprise in his character, will allow Sir Edmund and his men to attempt this venture into the unknown without wanting to lend a helping hand, and to see them fitted out with the best of equipment for the job’.

Circular Letter. ‘To the Householder’, Dunedin Antarctic Appeal Committee, [1955].
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Share certificate, British and Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. [Dunedin?]: Dunedin Antarctic Appeal Committee, 1956.

The ‘Share in Adventure’ Certificate is made out to ‘John Citizen’ for ten £1 shares.

Share certificate, British and Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition. [Dunedin?]: Dunedin Antarctic Appeal Committee, 1956.
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Antarctic News Bulletin. [Wellington]: New Zealand Antarctic Society, Nos. 17 and 18 (1955).

The New Zealand Antarctic Society has promoted New Zealand’s territorial and scientific interests in Antarctica since 1933, and played a large part in encouraging public interest in the Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Displayed here are issues of the Society’s quarterly news sheet.

Antarctic News Bulletin. [Wellington]: New Zealand Antarctic Society, Nos. 17 and 18 (1955).
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