THE DASH FOR THE POLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 26 November 1907, Page 2

THE DASH FOR THE POLE.

PREPARATIONS ON THE NIMROD. Per Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The; Niuirud will go into dock shortly in order that the accumulation of weeds ami barnacles on her hqttom may be removed. Several of. the scientists who arrived by the Niuirod on Saturday will leave for Mount Cook to-morrow morning. 'l'he ollicera and crew of the Nimrul are taking a brief holiday to-day preparatory to making a start with tho work Unit lies in front of them before they leave for the south. This morning a number of visitors, oflicial and otherwise, w*nt aboard the stout littlo ship and paid their respects to Captain England. The visitors included Mr. G. Laurenson, M.H.R., and representatives of the Harbor Board. Work will be commenced on the Nimrod to-morrow. The first step will be to discharge the store* and equipment which form the vessel's cargo. Every article -Jnte.n4s4—w for use in the Antarctic has to be thoroughly inspected in order that there may be no unfortunate discoveries at a later date, when the vessel once leaves Lyttelton. There will be no way of replacing faulty or damaged stores, and it is therefore of the utmost importance that all the supplies and equipment shall be in good condition. There is at ■present on board the Nimrod the greater part of the food and general supplies on which the landing party will have to subsist for many months, as .well as the sledges, the scientific equipment, and a special hut prepared for erection in the Far South. This hut, of course in sections, is at present stowed in the hold. After the Nimrod has been emptied, she will be docked and thoroughly cleaned. At present she has a' thicK coating of weeds below the waterline, and her general appearance is somewhat-disreputable. Boxes have to be erected on the deck to accommodate the ponies at present running on Quail Island. The remaining open space on deck will then be very small.