WHERE MERIDIANS MEET.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1050, 13 February 1911, Page 4

WHERE MERIDIANS MEET.

■THE SHIRASE EXPEDITION;. ■ • . . .-. " , ■■:■'- f .About half-past three -on Saturday afternoon,, the little Japanese exploring ship Kainan Maru, with her hopeful band of Pole-seekers, drew- slowly out of the inner ■ harbour, and disappeared round Point Hnlsvell, southward bound. When'. off Point .Icrningham the ■ little vessel was surrounded.by a :white-winged fleet—an escort of honour,from the Port Nicholson Yacht Club, which accompanied tho Kainan Maru down the harbour.

During tho forenoon Captain Johnston; harbourmaster, went out to the vessel and wished Lieutenant Shirase and his officers "bon voyage." During tho last two days of tho. Japanese ship's company's stay in Wellington, several courtesies ' were exchanged. The' Consular Agent for Japan (Mr. T. Younu) .entertained' Lieutenant Shirase and his officers on Friday afternoon, and the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. D, Buddo) also had an interview with the exploring party. The Marine Department" presented Captain Nomura;(sailing master) with a Nautical Almanac and ■ Navigation Tables, and tho Government Meteorologist (Rev.'D. C. Bates) inspected Hie scientific instruments- and checked the •'■ometers. ■'~■."., V \ •■-.-.

• Just.before tho vessel's departure,'one of the officers came ashore, and on ibe-' half of the expedition thanked Captain Johnston, harbourmaster, for the many kindnesses which had been extended to them' during;..their brief star in-Iport.