LIEUTENANT SHACKLETION'S.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 482, 15 April 1909, Page 4

LIEUTENANT SHACKLETION'S.

LECTURE,

OVER 1000 TURNED AWAY.

Bitter disappointment was tho lot of many who went to tlio Town Hall last night in tho hope that no difficulty would bo experienced in securing seats for Liout. Shackleton's lecture 011 "Antarctica." When tho doors wero opened at 7 o'clock several hundreds wero awaiting an opportunity to obtain seats. To their chagrin tlioy fount! that all the 3s. tickets had been reserved, and that tho number of iower-priced tickets was limited. Immediately there was a scramble for tho ticket-boxes and, in consequent, tho sellers were greatly impeded in their work.' Twenty minutes alter the doors wore opened the sale of Is. tickets was stopped, and a few minutes later 2s. tickets could not be procured. Tho proceeds of the lecturo will go to swell tho Victoria College gymnasium fund.

There was a very hearty outburst of applause when Sir Joseph Ward, accompanied by Lieut. Shackleton, mounted tho platlorm. When the cheering which followed had subsided, Sir Joseph made a few introductory remarks. His Excellency tlio Governor had, ho said, telegraphed expressing his regret that ho was unavoidably unablo to bo present. Ho (Sir Joseph) was presiding in the absence of UlO Mayor (Hon. T. W. Hislop), who had also wired an apology. He (the Premier) then introduced to the audience Lieut. Shackleton, tlio leader of tho party, who had been nearer the South Polo than anybody elso in tho world, and under whoso direction valuable observations had been made, especially by tlio party which had located the South Magnetic Pole. Upon stepping forward Lieut. Shackleton was again greeted with hearty hand-clapping, accompanied by loud cheering. His story of the expedition (which will bo told in detail in a book to bo published about October) was listened to with keen attention. Of especial interest were the largo number.of magnificent, views shown during the courso of the lecture. With becoming modesty I.ieut. Shackleton recounted the triumphs and trials of tho expedition, and his occasional shafts of humour caused much merriment. Very warm applause hailed tho presentation of a view of tho furthest point on which tho Union Jack was hoisted. In every sense of the term, tho lecturo was a treat which nouo who were present would liavo cared to miss. At tho conclusion of his remarks tho lecturer was again heartily applauded. On behalf of the students of Victoria College Mr. 11. IT. O'Leary then, amidst applause, presented to Liout. .Shackleton a handsome gold cigarette-case, 011 which was inscribed a verso from tho College sports song, composed by Mr. Seaforth MacKenzic—

"Hero's to (he long white mad that beckons, The climb that baffles, the risk that nerves, And here's to tho merry heart that reckons The rough with tho smooth and novor swerves."

In reply, J.ieut. Shackleton said that ho had nover beforo received a public presentation. He would ever treasure tho gift. Kir Joseph Ward, in moving a voto of thanks to Lieut. Shackleton, said tliat tho lecturo was one whieh would not easily bo forgotten. The vote was heartily approved by cheers, followed by the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Follow."