RETURN OF THE NIMROD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 54, 29 March 1909, Page 2

RETURN OF THE NIMROD

THAN KSUIVIXU SERVICE. IMPRESSIVE SERVICE IN CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Chrislchurch. Night. Lieut. Shackleton, with the ollicers ami men of the Antarctic expedition, attended thanksgiving service in the Calheilral this morning, when there was a large congregation, Bishop Julius preachcd from Psalm Kill, verses li and 7. In the course <>f the sermon, he said he had no sympathy with those wlio said tliat no adventure lie engaged in unless there was money it, nor with those who said men had no right to risk their lives in tin' pursuit of that which, an tliey thought, seined of little value to the world. Continuing, he said: "Now Zealand has done well to give her Dreadnought to Imperial services, and having given it, 1 trust everyone will have a measure of some sacrilicc in that gift and pay for it. Hut. my brethren, it lis these men that are' our 'dreadnought*.' These men dread nought liecause there is in them, handed duw.ii 'through the long ages, gathered from their fathers, granted to tliem -liv the Grace of God, courage that can endure, the proof strength lor .service that can carry them through inlinite dangers, and 1 can see the heart of the whole" nation is lifted up because tliey know that besides the -hip., we have the men who can stand to our country ill her need; men that can serve ami die for I love of her."

CONGRATULATIONS FROM INTERNATIONAL POLAR COMMISSION.

Christehurch, Last Nignt. The following message was received by Lieutenant Shackleton to-day: ".Shackleton commander Nimrod, (Jhristchureh; enthusiastic congratulations from Tutornational Polar Commission.— (Signed) Cngni, Nordenskjold, Locoiuto, Nruxolles. 1 Cagni was captain of,the Polar Star, the Duke of Abruzzi's ship. Jle made the

"furthest north" record before being beaten by a few miles by Lieutenant Peary. Nordenskjold is a well-known Swedish explorer"on the side of the Antarctic immediately below South America. Le Cointe was one of the' members of the Belgian Antarctic expedition, and is now secretary of the International Polar Commission.

DR. MARSHALL INTERVIEWED. PICTURES, PONIES, AND THE POLE. Christchurch, March 2(1. Dr. Marshall, medical officer of the ex-' pedition and the kinematographer, was found by a Press reporter busy manipulating the kinematograph machine for taking pictures of the interesting incidents of the Nimrod's arrival. Regarding the health of the members of the expedition Dr. Marshall said that there had been no scurvy, and that the food had been excellent. The ten sheep taken from New Zealand lasted till the southern party started on tneir expedition. The members of the party suffered badly from dysentry, caused by eating pony meat, and, at times, that party were brought down to a pannikin of meat, and from three to four biscuits ft (lay. The plasmon biscuits and cocoa were found of tremendous value, and so also was the concentrated food.

FOUR THOUSAND FEET OF FILMS. One interesting fact duringjhis same journey was'the low recorded temperature of the men's physical heat. The normal temperature of a man is 98.4, but, owing to the short rations, the temperature of members of the party went down to less than 94 degrees, indicating a very low amount of animal jeat. In all, Dr. Marshall estimates that fully 4000 feet of photographic kinematograph films has been taken, and he has hopes that the pictures will turn out fairly well. Some of the films have been developed, and have proved satisfactory. He has taken a very good selection of pictures of the scenery in the Antarctic. Included among them are films of sledging scenes, and about 2000 feet deal with the habits and doings of penguins, both Emperor and Adclie. When the temperature got to 30deg. below freezing point Dr. Marshall found a difficulty ting the camera, owing to the oil freezing. On removing the oil he found no dill'icultv in photographing. SCALING JiREBUS.

Dr. Marshall was one of the party who ascended Mount Erebus—a journey (hat extended over seven days. They were lie said, fortunate in experiencing a blizzard at 1)000 feet, as it ensured clear weather for the remainder of th c ascent. The temperature experienced was low on the summit, where the lowest was minus 13deg. During the ascent Sir Philip Brocklehurst got frost-bitten,and one of his toes had to be amputated. A HUT THAT WILL LAST V HUNDRED YEARS.

As one of the southern party T)r. .Marshall had some interesting facts to relate. The start was made from Hut Point, the Discovery's headi|iuirters. The Discovery hut still slamls. and is practically as good as ever. Dr. Marshall believes that it will stand for a hundred years, so splendidly was it built. The Mancliurian ponies' on the whole did wonderfully well. The greatest distance travelled by them in one day was eighteen miles.

THE COUNTRY NEAI! THE POLE. The party only took provisions for ill days, and they were away for 120 days. From the nature of the country seen from this point, Dr. Marshall 'is of opinion that there is no chance of anyone reaching the pole by way of the Barrier. Undoubtedly the* pole 'was situated on the plateau. 'The glacier is over 100 miles long, and it is crcassed almost the whole length.