ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2047, 26 November 1907, Page 3

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

THE NIMROD • EXPEDITION. PREPARATIONS FOR THE START. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 25. Tho Nimrod will go into dock shortly ill ordor to provide that, the accumulations of weed and barnacles on

her bottom may bo Several of the scientists who arrived by the Nimrod on Saturday will leavo for Mount Cook to-morrow morning. The officers and crew of the Nimrod are taking a brief holiday to-day preparatory to making a start with tho work that lies in front of them before they leave for tlio South. This morning a number of visitors, official and otherwise, wont aboard the stout little ship and paid their respects to Captain England. Tho visitors included Mr. G. Laurenson, M.H.R., and representatives of the Harbor Board. Work will be commenced on tho Nimrod to-morrow. Tho first step will be to discliargo tho stores and equipment, which form the vessel’s cargo. Every article intended for use in Antartica has to be thoroughly inspected in order 'that there may bo no unfortunate discoveries at a later date. When ithe vessel once leaves Lyttelton there will be no way of replacing faulty or damaged stores, and it is therefore of the utmost importance that all tho supplies and equipment shall be in good condition. There is at present on board tlio Nimrod the greater part, of the food and general supplies on which the landing party will have to subsist'for many months, as well as the sledges, tho scientific equipment, and the special hilt prepared for erection in the far South. This hut, of course, is in sections. It is at present stowed in the hold. After the Nimrod has been emptied she will be docked and thoroughly cleaned. At present she has a thick coating of weeds below the water-line and her general appearance is somewhat disreputable. Boxes have to bo erected on tho decfk to accommodate the ponies at present running on Quail Island. The remaining open space on deck will then be very small.