SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2998, 8 February 1917, Page 3

SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON

A PRESENTATION PROPOSED. A meeting of citizens convened by tiie lilayor of Wellington (Air. J. i>. ijulce) was held yesterday morning to consider a proposal for making a presentation to Sir Err.est Sliackleton alter ] lls m-nval in this City at tho end of the present week. There was si large and representative attendance, and the gentlemen present took up the idea with enthusiasm. Several speakers pa.a warm tributes of admiration, to tlie explorer and his comrades, and' urged that the City should Yecogniso in some langiblo way tho pluck and endurance displayed by Sir Ernest fjifirckleton under conditions of exceptional difficulty and in the face of a series of misfortunes due to the severityja Antarctic conditions. . Jno Mayor, in opomnn; the proceedings, said that he had been asked to convene the meeting, and he had boon very glad indeed to comply. Sir Ernest onaclcleton s work was of rational importance, and' of international importance too. This great explorer had devoted Ins energies and his means to the increasing of human knowledge regarding one of the few remaining unexpiored portions of the world's surlaee. He had dared dangers, endured privations, and, in the face of misfortune, showed dogged British pluck in tne very highest degree. Now lie was returning to Wellington after completing tl;o rescue of the members of his expedition, arid the occasion ought not to be allowed to pass without some suitable recognition. ■n?n-- J - 3l ?c.'»tosh, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, moved that a committee should be set up to make arrangements for a premutation, the committeo to consist of the Mayor, Hon. J..G. W. Aitken, n J : Macintosh. A. Gray, K.C., C. B. Smith, A. R, Wright, M.P., J.' l>. Harcourt, and W. Hutchison, and tlie members of the committee of the Commercial -.Travellers' Association, with power to add to their number. Jhe n ilme of Sir .Ernest Shackleton, said Mr Macintosh, would always be associated with Antarctic exploration, iho efforts of the explorer had added lustre to tho flag and territory to the Empire, aud he was sure that very many people would b'n glad to have an opportunity to show their recognition of those facts. Sir Ernest Shackleton had been unfortunate on tlie present oocasion. He had lost one of his ships and he had not succeeded in carrying out tJie objects of his expedition. "But be had done his best, and his deeds in , the rescuo of his comrades were worthy of 'the best traditions of the race. Tlie motion was seconded by Mr. ' Gray, who supported it warmly, aud carried unanimously. The, committee met subsequently and mado detailed arrangements.