FOR THE SOUTH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2935, 22 November 1916, Page 8

FOR THE SOUTH

AURORA SAILS NEXT MONTH,

The. exploring "ship Aurora, which is to go to the relief of the Ross Sea section of the Shuckleton Antarctic Expedition, will leave Port Chalmers during the second half of December. Tho date of departure has not yet been fixed definitely. It appears useless for the ship to leave New Zealand waters before the middle of the month, since the. ice-belt that encloses the Ross Sea during the winter months does not begin to break up, according to the records of earlier expeditions, until the end of December or the beginning of January, but the relief party is anxious to get to M'Murdo Sound as early as possible, since the situation of the men who have been at the base there since the beginning of last year presents some cause for anxiety. Sir Ernest Shackleton is expected to reach Wellington on November 29. and he will b'e met here by the Minister of Marine (Hon. Dr. M'Nab), who represents the Governments that have undertaken the preparation of the Aurora for the' relief expedition. Captain J. K. Davis, who was recently appointed to the command of the Aurora by tho British, Australian, and New Zealand Governments, has been biVsy in Australia selecting members of his crew and making other arrangements. Sir Ernest Shackleton's position in relation to the relief expedition will not be defined exactly until the explorer reaches New Zealand, Ho naturally is anxious to go to the assistance of tho men who went south in the first instance under.his orders, and it is hoped that he may be able to take command of the sledging operations that almost certainly will be necessary after the arrival of the Aurora at M'Murdo Sound.