Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1974-75: VUWAE 19
FINANCE, EQUIPMENT AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
FINANCE, EQUIPMENT AND GENERAL PROVISIONS
Finance
A grant from the University Grants Committee was used to pay for food, clothing, camping items, travel, freight, some specialised equipment for Mt. Erebus, and to cover insurance of personnel and instruments. The University Council provided financial support for Keys, Plume, Powell and Robinson.
Equipment
Many items were already available in the VUWAE stores both at page 6 Wellington and Scott Base. They included ice axes, sleeping bags, windproof clothing, mukluks, kitchen gear, and Meade tents. New purchases were made to replace worn or broken equipment. This year down jackets and trousers were purchased following Antarctic Division's decision not to provide university parties with down clothing. Antarctic division provided expensive or specialist equipment including a motor toboggan, a dog team, polar tents, radio transceivers, ropes and first aid kits. Antarctic division also clothed DSIR personnel working with VUWAE. The Geology and Chemistry departments provided miscellaneous scientific equipment supplementing that already owned by VUWAE and VUWAE members. Miscellaneous small items were purchased.
Food
As for the last two years expeditions, VUWAE 19 worked on a man day basis and were charged a flat rate irrespective of whether in the field or at Scott Base. However as in the past VUWAE purchased food to supplement the food boxes, as usually there is not enough canned fruit, fresh meat etc. at Scott Base for field party use. It must be stated, however, that the Erebus expedition was adequately supplied with supplementary food from both Scott Base and McMurdo station. At such altitudes good food is extremely necessary.