THE POLAR EXPEDITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 25 November 1907, Page 2

THE POLAR EXPEDITION.

NIMROD ARRIVES AT LYTTELTOX. ' Per Prc6s Association. Christchureh, Last Night. 'Die Antarctic exploration ship Ximroil arrived tit Lyttelton early yesterday evening. Tin' ship, which on the voyage out was commanded by Captain Rupert Eglaml, arrived in splendid order, although with a foul bottom as the result of her four mouths' passage. She left London on .Inly 31st, and called at f'mves, where the King ami Queen went on board on a visit of inspection. His Majesty, as has been already announced, conferred the Victorian Order on Lieut. Shiicklelon, and Ihe Queen presented the ship with a Hag to be planted on the South Pole if the explorers are lucky enough to find it. After leaving ('owes, the Ximrod called at Toi'ipiay, where

Lieut. Shaekleton, who is coming out by mail-bout, entertained the ollicers and men at a farewell dinner. The first port of call on the way out was St. Vincent, where the vessel stayed six hours to take in coal. She next put in at Capetown, where she arrived on Scptemlior -Ith, travelling most of the distance under steam. After two (lays at Capetown, the Ximrod left for New Zealand. She ran her casting down the 40th latitude. Heavy weather was encountered and big seas smashed in (he forward bulwark, but apart from Ihis the vessel : sustained no damage. The ollicers describe her as a splendid sea-boat. When ,' approaching New the vessel avoided Foveaux Strait, passing between the Snares and Stewart Island. On Monday last, when she was off , the •' Ninety-mile Beach, she encountered a'l- - verse' winds. She signalled Akaroa '" Heads at 8 o'clock this morning, when h about twelve miles off, but apparently e failed to get into touch with the land.