LIEUTENANT SHACKLETON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 484, 17 April 1909, Page 6

LIEUTENANT SHACKLETON.

y- f -' :: his "last! message.. ? : ;'; ' Requested to say. something in: the form of a message tol the people of the Dominion, Lieu};.: Shackleton,the hero of the recent Antarctic expedition, acceded. He said;—.' ■-•' < ! . : '. ;.V :; ''"!■.'..'■■■ .':'■(;'■ "On the eve of my/departure I wish, from;the bottom of my heart, to thank the people of New Zealand • for the thousand and one. kindnesses they have shown to me a.nd to the members of tba expedition. To the Government of New . Zealand, the Prime Minister and mem-'-.bers, of; his Cabinet, the Union Steam Ship Company, Captain'Evans, and Mr. J. J. Kinsey I owe a special debt of, gratitude. It is particularly gratifying to me } and to thpße, who-worked so . loyally.' and bravely with me ;in the interests of the expedition to find not only my immediate friends bub also: thousands of the people taking such a keen". and sympathetic interest in our doings and discoveries in the Far South. I can assure one and all that though the ■ Homeland ties are now • calling strongly •;to me across the'intervening leagues of ocean, it is with genuine; regret that I. shall watch the shores of' New Zealand ■ 'fading in..the,haze of, distance,"; ~-■• Lieut. Shackleton, and- his friend, Lieut. Adams, were accorded a hearty send-off on le_aving for Sydney by, the Riverina last, evening, a large number of the friends he has made in Wellington attending at the ship's side to bid him farewell. , These included Sir .Joseph and Lady Ward, the Hon. Dr. Find'lay and Mrs. Findlay. A large number of Victoria College students were also present. They, vigorously cheered Lieut.. Shackleton, concluding with the Maori war cry.''.'.,■ . The weekly ambulance meeting was held at the Missions to Seamen Institute last night, when a large, audience was present;..; The missioner (Mr. James Moore), who; occupied the chair, gave several useful ; hints relating to'first-aid and health matters;' A competition referring to ambulance work was neld and .won by sailors from ships in port. The musical arrangements were m the hands of; Miss Roynane, who provided a successful programme. The following contributed items: Misses Roynane,. Moss; Langton, ' Messrs. iM'Kellar and Bates. Misses Langton and Moss acted as accompanists. A. hearty vote of, thanks was accorded the performers, at the conclusion of the meeting. , ,