| Description | Calling the attention of Council of the Royal Society to the project for the establishment of a temporary Antarctic Station, the subject of Harmer's application for a Government Grant of £300. He states that the matter is one of national importance and encloses a copy of the Swedish proposal for an Anglo-Swedish facility. The Trustees of the British Museum have interested themselves in the question of whaling in subantarctic waters, expressing anxiety that whales were being killed at far too great a rate, and feeling it was their duty to prevent this extermination. He notes efforts to fund an Antarctic scientific station and comments on the Swedish proposal. The annexation of the region by Britain has meant that any continuation of the work of the previous Swedish explorations would depend upon British co-operation. 'I may say, however, that the destruction of Whales is undoubtedly proceeding at a very alarming rate; and that there appear to be indications that the persecution which these magnificent animals are experiencing is already producing the results which were feared'. Now, whaling company ships might be used for communication, but this opportunity would decay with the failure of the whaling industry. It would be desirable to establish a British Antarctic Committee to supervise expenditure. |