THE TERRA NOVA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1404, 2 April 1912, Page 6

THE TERRA NOVA.

SIGXS OK ir.Vltl) USAGE. Christchurch, April 1. The Antarctic exploring ship Terra Xov;i rc'lurucd ln-ila.v, arriving in Akarun Harbour shortly before sunrise. Lieutenant I'cnnelt landed later with telegraphic for purchasers of the story of the expedition, which were handed into the local telegraph nlfice, hnt he refused to he interviewed or alicnv any communication irilli Ihe ship. Lieutenant Evans is on board (lie Terra -Nova. The Terra Xova arrived about fi.ilfl a.m. Lieutenant Kennel] and Mr. Drake came ashore in a, launch and ccmuiuniculed nil the news they had lo the telegraph oflico, but to all and sundry they had no information. X'o one was allowed on board, but seen from a private launch the vessel showed signs of hard usage'. Hardly any paint was left on her, while the iron plate en her how was crumpled up and her sides scarred. Answering hail, tho ship reported all well on board. When seen two of her crow were enjoying a hosing bout under the kinematograph. Tho vessel left at 11 o'clock. The Mayor and Town Clerk were informed that the boat could not receive them, and were asked to tell any wouldbe visitors that should go out in a boat to see them the vessel would steam away at once. Lieutenant I'ennell stayed till 30.30 a.m., when he again met ths Mayor, and apologised for his apparent rudeness, saying I hat when the Terra Xova way anchored in Lyttelton he would be pleased io show hiio over the boat and explain all details about the route. The Terra X'ova left .her moorings

about 11 o'clrck. and the lighthouse reported later that she was cruising about outside the Heads. It is understood on good authority that she will not reach Lyttelton till' Wednesday morning.

Mr. J. .T. Kinsey, New Zealand agent, for Captain Scott's expedition, informed a reporter that he hail received a message stating that the Terra Nova party were all well. All members of the expedition had not returned. He believed that the Terra Nova had called in at Akni'o.i merely to hand in cables, and that the vessel would leave at any moment for Lr ltd ton. In all probability she would arrive at Lyttelton on Wednesday morning. AN AMUNDSEN LECTURE TOUR. ' COMMENCING AT AUCKLAND. ißy Tclccranh-Presi Association.! Auckland, April 1. A cable message was received by the Town Clerk this morning from Sydney conveying the request that the Town Hall should be reserved for cither April 22 or 29 on behalf of Captain Amundsen, the Antarctic explorer. The cable was dispatched by -Mr. Smythe, who. has charge of arrangements for any lectures which may be given by Amundsen during his call at New Zealand en route to South America for the purpose of joining the Pram prior to her drift to (he North Pole. It is considered probable that Amundsen will arrive in Auckland from Sydney on April 21. A SURPRISE. The news that the Terra Nova had arrived at Akaroa came as a complete surprise to most people in Wellington. The arrival of Captain Scott's vessel has been anticipated for somo weeks past, but all Zealand expected that tho exploring vessel would turn up at Half-Moon Bay, Stewart Island, which had been frequently mentioned as the first place of call. ' The only people "in the joke" were the head officials of the Post and Telegraph Department, who had taken the precaution some days ago to strengthen the' telegraphic staff at Akaroa. These were set to work soon after the vessel's arrival yesterday, and GOOD or 700(1 words arc understood to have been sent through by cable to London yesterday.