INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Those hectic days of packing and planning in the spring of 1968 are now almost forgotten and even our recent summer in Antarctica seems an age away. Alas, the enjoyment and excitement of the field season is over, and we now contemplate a desk loaded with field notes. It was a privilege to help organise and lead this expedition and a most pleasant one in which to participate As with all expeditions the success of this year's venture depended entirely on the many and varied contributions made by the expedition members themselves. Versatility of skills was one of the striking attributes of this year's team, and I cannot recall our being hold up by any problem for very long. As the summer progressed we developed from an awkward, clumsy bunch to an efficient, versatile and closely knit team. Under those conditions party leadership is a pleasure and I wish to express my gratitude to my colleagues for the cheerful and driving manner in which tasks both scientific and menial were approached and executed.

The participation of New Zealand university students in the New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme continues to be a successful and valuable undertaking. Not only does it increase our scientific knowledge of the Antarctic continent, but much more important, it teaches the participating student a sense of responsibility, resourcefulness, leadership and patience. Under difficult conditions and in isolation ho comes to have a better understanding of himself and his colleagues. This experience is, then, a valuable addition to conventional university education and contributes to the emergence of a more mature graduate.

I have pleasure in presenting the immediate report of VUWAE 1968/69.