BACK FROM ANTARCTICA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 451, 27 March 1912, Page 5

BACK FROM ANTARCTICA.

THE JAPANESE EXPEDITION. ARRIVAL AT WELLINGTON. The little schooner-rigged Japanese exploring ship Kainan Maru sailed unexpectedly into Wollintgon harbour from the Antarctic early on Saturday morning. She came to an anchorage ofT Pipitea Point with the national Hag, emblematic of the Rising Sun, gaily flying. The expeditions of Captain Scott and Captain Amundsen, both stronger and better equipped, led the Japanese to ahadon their original intention of making a dash for the Pole, and so they confined themselves to scientific exploration on the shores and waters of the Antarctic. They lost none of their number and all return well and hearty. The members of the parly were not very communicative regarding the work actually acompiished by them, but to a New Zealand Times reporter Lieutenant Sirase briefly, outlined the movements of the expedition. "We set sail from Sydney on November 19th last," he said, "and, as planned by us, proceeded direct; to Whales Inlet. TOdeg 29min south latitude. There we landed a number of our party, which proceeded further south-eastward. Here we met, Captain Amundsen's exploring ship Fram, but Amundsen was not with his ship at the time. Thence the Kainan Maru sailed south-eastward along the coast and reached King Edward VII. Land, where we landed a coast exploring party. The Kainan Mara continued on her passage, south-eastward, and explored unknown parts of the sea. "Then the vessel returned to King Edward VII. Land and Whales Inlet, and picked up the two shore exploring parties, thence steering a course homeward bound, the ice being loft on February 4th. We lost none of our number and all are in good health. Many scientific specimens and facts were collected, but these must for the present keep secret. We hope to reach Japan at the beginning of June." The point furthest south reached by the expedition was BQdeg smin. The. Kainan Maru will take in provisions and leave Wellington at the end of the week for Japan direct.