ANARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 24 August 1907, Page 3

ANARCTIC EXPEDITION.

INTERESTING NOVELTIES.

I SOME NANSEN INVENTIONS. | London. July 5. One of the greatest diiliculties to be | surmounted at the outset by the British Antarctic expedition under the command of Lieutenant Shackleton as tlie victual-

ling of the expedition. As the vessel will have to pass through the tropics before reaching Antarctic regions, it was essential that those charged with the preparation of the stores should take into careful consideration the adaptation of food to climatic conditions. It has been decided to carry one ton of dried vegetables, and this will represent about 12 tons of fresh vegetables. These "Mc Doddie" vegetables are warranted to retain all their natural constituents, and when suitably treated and cooked it is not easy to distinguish them from freshcut supplies. Five tons of flour, presented by Messrs J, J. Column, of Norwich, will be taken. The jam, fruit, fish and butter will be shipped to New Zealand by. direct steamer. A special blend of whisky has been supplied by Messrs Charles MacKinlay and Co. Other articles in the ship's commissariat are; One ton whole-meal biscuits, containing 25 per cent of plasmon, 6001b of bovril '''emergency food" to be used by the sledging parties, 1001b of chocolate, 7001b of cocoa, and 17 cases of limejuice. The ingenious Nanscn patent cooking apparatus is being carried. In. this cooker snow and ice are transformed into boiling water. There are several novel characteristics. In the first place, Siberian ponies are to take the place of the old-fashioned sledge-dogs, and it is estimated that one pony will be found I in its capacity for work to bo the equivalent of 18 dogs. The importance of the part to be played by sledging in the cxp-.'ditiou cannot be exagerated. Thirty sledge's are being taken. Eighteen of these are lift long, 10 are 12ft, and two 7ft long. Many of the old, heavy lurs .have been discarded, and the men will rely for warmth on thick Jacgar underwear and heavy pilot cloth. The basis of operations will be King Edward VII. Land, just 750 miles from the Soutn Pole. Aithough the expedition hopes to make many interesting geographical discoveries, it is actually designed tor the purpose of reaching farthest south, and it leaves England with the avowed intention of attempting to reach tie , Pole.

On Saturday last the equipment and appliances for the expedition were ou view at the rooms at 9, Regent street, It is understood that Messrs Nathan, ot Wellington, lias presented the expedition with as much dried milk as they would require for the whole of the time they would be away. "We are looking forward keenly to our visit to New Zealand," said Mr Adams, the meteorologist, to a correspondent ot

the Auckland Herald, ''for both Lieutenant -Shackleton and our skipper were on board the ilorning, and they have told us of the splendid reception then given them by your colony. We are taking with us 12 Siberian ponies, for we think they will be better for our purpoise than dogs. How long shall we be away? Well, we expect to be absent about three years, and we hope to accomplish good work before we come back to England." Mr Adams then showed him the compressed fodder which they were taking for their ponies; a small tin that can be carried in the pocket, swelling, with the addition of water, to 01b or 71b oi good, .sustaiing feed. Then, Messrs Burroughs and Wellcome have provided a complete photographic and medical equipment, skin diseases and snow-blindness being specially provided for. In an annex there were on view ski, furs, Bleeping .suits, a bath that could be turned into a wash-basin, an acetylene plant, and a wonderful cooking stove, the invention of Nansen, in which snow can be raised to boiling point in half an hour. There was on view also a fully-laden sledge on snow ground, with tent and full-sized wax figures in Arctic clothing, to give visitors an idea of what the work was like upon which the party we/e about to embark. In the courso of a brief interview with Lieutenant Shackleton this afternoon a few particulars were gleaned. He, of course, is himself to be the leader of tile expedition, and lie is kno.vii in New Zealand because he went out there in the Morning. Lieutenant J. Adams, R.N.P., is the meteorologist, and he has been in the navy for some time. Sir fTinip'lJfGeUli.'luiret, Bart., will be pledger, surveyor, and baker. He has been iu the Yeomanry, and is well Versed in the treatment of horses. Mr Jamtß

Murray is one of the foremost biologists in Scotland, and ho will act as biologist for the expedition. Dr Mitchell, one of the surgeons, is a Canadian, and has travelled a good deal in the North-West provinces. Dr Marshall, another surgeon, will be in charge of tho ponies, and will act as surveyor. Dr McKay is unotlwr surgeon who has been on the navy, and is a zoologist. Mr W. Muir wil carry out the duties of chauffeur,

for Lieutenant Shackleton intends to make a "dash" for the South by motorear. TThere are other places yet to ba

All the members of the coming expedition are young men, with the exception of Mr Murray, Lieutenant Shackleton being only 35 years of age, and his companions several years younger. The leader is the only one who has been South i nefore, "with the exception of Captain I Rupert England, who will command tho »hip, and who was first officer of the Morning.