The Galathe.

Scientific Party on Renne Island

rpHE Danish frigate Galathe ± which is carrying around tl; world a party of Danish sciei: taste who are investigating oces 1 depths, and who are now in tl Pacific, is moving its base from Pa Moresby to Australia. It arrived Sydney on November 14. It will I docked in Sydney; and early net year it will move on to New Zealan* en route for the eastern Pacific.

The Galathea, from Port Moresbc visited’ Honiara early in October and, when she departed, she le? behind the majority of the scientist aboard.

The scientists proceeded to Ren nell Island, where they engaged i a study of the flora, fauna and peopx of the island. Rennell has specis. interest for scientists in that probably is the world’s most notabli example of a raised atoll and it inhabitants appear to be an isolates “pocket” of Polynesians ii Melanesia. After three or fouj weeks on Rennell the party wen picked up by an Australian vesses to rejoin the Galathea.

Mr. Haakon Mielche, Danish journalist, photographer am lecturer, who is with the Galathe? as public relations officer, returnee to Europe by air in October primarily to edit a number of filmr which he has made during thi cruise. He reported that he goc some particularly good materia* during a visit to the New Guinew Highlands. He expects to rejoin th«j Galathea in New Zealand.

Mr. Mielche was in the SoutH Seas, about 20 years ago, as 8 member of the company of the ill-' fated Danish ship Monsunenr wrecked in the Solomons. He iu still remembered by old residents for his disconcerting ability as s cartoonist.

“Solomons Trench”

The Galathea’s main deep se& research in Islands waters was ofl: Bougainville, in what is known as the “Solomons Trench,” which cuts a 50-miles-long gorge into the ocean bed, and lies some five miles deep. Other scientists from the ship are carrying out other researclx work, and a special party is spend ing some time on Rennel Island.