A blind HI survey for galaxies in the zone of avoidance, 308 degrees <= l <= 332 degrees

We report on a blind neutral hydrogen survey for galaxies using the 21 cm m ultibeam receiver on the Parkes 64 m telescope. The surveyed region covers \b\ less than or equal to 5 degrees in the zone of avoidance (ZOA) from Gal actic longitude 308 degrees to 332 degrees. The survey represents the first phase of a blind H I survey covering the southern ZOA (l = 212 degrees to 36 degrees). We have detected H I in 42 galaxies above a 3 sigma limit of 6 0 mJy. The galaxies detected in this survey have velocities out to 6000 km s(-1) and H I masses in the range 4 x 10(7) to 3 x 10(10)M. (h(75)(-2)). On ly eight of the 42 galaxies have velocities previously measured. A further nine galaxies appear to have optical counterparts in the Woudt's 1998 catal og. In total, 16 of the galaxies appear to be associated with IRAS sources, although only three of these are without optical counterparts. The estimat ed median extinction for the 20 galaxies with optical or IR counterparts is A(B) = 3.8 mag. For the 22 galaxies with no counterparts, the estimated me dian extinction is A(B) = 5.6 mag. The distribution of galaxies is suggesti ve of a connection between the Centaurus supercluster above the Galactic pl ane and the Pavo-Indus supercluster beneath the plane. No previously hidden concentrations of galaxies were found.