MIGHT NOT BELIEVE IT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9441, 11 May 1909, Page 7

MIGHT NOT BELIEVE IT.

Lieutenant Shaokleton (according to the Daily Telegraph) ;is much gratified, and not a little surprised, at the great amount of interest displayed in Sydney in regard to the doings of his Antarctic expedition, and particularly on account of the interest shown in his lectures. Speaking at the Royal Society a dinner, he told a story to show that this has not always been his experience. It was after the return of the Discovery expedition under Captain Scott that the incident occurred. “After giving several lectures for charities,” said Lieutenant Sbaokietoa, “I thought I would give myself. I was living in Edinburgh, and I engaged a hall to seat 600 people, and paid £5 for it When I arrived at the place at a quarter to eight on the evening of the lecture I found one drunken man, two old women, and a few boys in |the ball, so I went out to the cabman who had driven me and asked him would he like to oome into the lecture, and if he would get someone to hold bis horse. To my surprise he refused. (Laughter.) Well, anyhow. I gave the lecture, and there were about 25 people before the close. When I got home I told my wife that there wore 25 people there, and that the lecture cost me £6, and that I had only go* 25s back. She said, “Oh, no, you didn't, because I sent tin cook and one of the maids there myself. When the laughter subsided Lieutenant Shaokleton added : “Judging by the way the subject is received here that ought never to occur again, but I’m going to cot out all the parafiaphs and show them to her when get home for fear she might not believe it.” (L«u*hter. )