TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

JPER PRESS. ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT], IN THE ANTARCTIC. Trials and Sufferings. Of Men Left BejiindHow the Men DiedWellington, Feb 8 March 22nd. 1915.—A1l parties are back at Hut Point. Some are frost bitten. The temperature is at minus thirty. We laid the Bluff Depot at 19 south, 169 east. The farthest depot is SO south. 16 dogs died on tlie trail on Ist June, before the party rcacehcl Cape Evans, owing to constant blizzards breaking the newly formed ice. We found tho Aurora gone, but wo have ample provisions of fish meat and blubber. There is a dearth of clothing. Owing to the death of the dogs, sledging started early on Sept. Ist. with continuous sledging by relays to Mount Hope which we reached on Jan. 26th 1916. On. January 22nd Smith broke down with scurvy. On the general symptoms of scurvy appearing we maed the greatest possible speed to get homeward. Smith was lashed on tho sledge. Mclntosh was badly attacked but managed to keep his feet. We made good progress for tho lmWc made good speed for the next

180 miles. Afterwards tli estrain was telling on our marches and wo decreased the hours, and we could march no longer than to eleven miles from Bluff Depot. On Feb. 7th we were overtaken by a furious blizzard lasting for fourteen days. On the sixth day our provisions were practically exhausted, but a successful attempt was made to reach the depot. Macintosh, Smith and Hayward were now lashed on sledges. .Joyce and Richards with four dogs pulling. On March 7th Macintosh was left behind with provisions at his own request to enable the other sick men to reach safety. On the 9th Smith died. On tho 11th we reached Hut Point. On the 18th after returning for AlacIntosh, Hut Point was safely reached. The total sledging period was a hundred and ninety days. The distance covered was 1560 statute miles. Tho ice between Hut Point and Cape Evans was repeatedly blown up. In tho beginning of Alay thero was a calm period, then a suddden blizzard overtook them. The young ice broke up and drove north.

On the 10th the remainder of tho party at II Point became anxious, and these two followed tlieir tracks and found them abruptly terminating at open water. Their worst fears were confirmed when the party reached Cape Evans. On July loth wo found Alaelutosli and Hayward had ndt arrived. A search was made after returning, but it disclosed no traces of the missing men. On January 10th 1917 the Aurora arrived at Cape Evans and picked up the seven survivors and learned the loss of Macintosh, and Hayward eight months previously. Whilst recognising tho hopelessness of success in finding traces, the Aurora remained until the 19tli making an examination of the remainder of the unsoarclied part of Alacmurdo Sound, and as far north as granite harbour, whilst Capt. Davis landed with search parties but no traces were discovered.—Shacklot on. Aurora’s Return. Wellington, Feb 8 Tho Aurora is expected to reach Wellington either to-morrow night or on Saturday morning. Aurora Arriving Wellington, Feb 9

Hon W. Harries has received a wiaeless from Capt Davis, of the Anrora, stating if the weather remains fine be expects to arrive at Wellington about 6 p.m. to-day. A Mayoral party leaves the wharf at five o’clock in the coastal steamer Karaka to meet the relief ship. Hokitika public kindly note we stock “ The Thinkers Favourite Writing Tablets and Thinkers Penny Note Books " best for everybody,—J, King,