MAWSON EXPEDITION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1691, 6 March 1913, Page 5

MAWSON EXPEDITION.

A DANGEROUS JOURNEY. LIEUT. NINNIS AND DR.MERTZ. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright tßec. .March 5, 11.15 p.m.) .Sydney, March 5. Professor David to-day received the following wireless message from Dr. Mawson"The Aurora arrived oil .January 12; all the sledge parlies returned to the hut by January 17, excepting my party. Lieutenant Ninnis, Dr. Mertz, and myself, on December 1, whilst exploring a new coast line 300 miles south-oast of our winter quarters, Lieutenant Ninnis witli one dog team and almost'all the food disappeared in an unfathomable crevasse. Dr. Hertz and I, with inadequate provisions, and six starving dogs, struck out over the plateau for the hut, encountering unexpectedly bad weather, retarding our progress. Wo subsisted chiefly on dogs. On January 17 Dr. Mertz died from causes arising from malnutrition; en February 7 I alone arrived at the hut, having travelled through snow and fogs, miraculously guided by Providence through heavilycrevassed areas. Captain Davis had waited until it was no longer safe, and is now proceeding to our western base. He left a few hours before my arrival at the hut." MOVEMENTS OF THE AURORA. Sydney, March 5 Professor David says that Dr. Mawson's message makes the movements of the Aurora much clearer. She probably seemed Wild's party safely, and there is still a chance of the Mawson party embarking in a few days. If heavy weather prevents this, the party should be reasonably comfortable remaining in winter quarters, where they will be well provisioned. . Professor David does not expect Hie Aurora to reach Australia before the end of March. *