ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 229, 26 March 1912, Page 5

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

FUTURE MOVEMENTS OF THE EXPEDITION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. T. Young (Japanese Consul) paid a visit to the .Japanese exploring ship Hainan Mam to-day. Like'lhe crew, the ship shows no signs of hard usage, everything being in good order. All available space on board has been turned to practical account, and accommodation is by no means commoclious. The saloon, "which is smat but warm and comfortable, is situated in the after part of the ship; and was used as the living quarters for the officers and scientists. The crew were housed in forward quarters, and here, too, space ii at a premium. Six dogs of the thirty taken away have returned, and these look strong and healthy. They are not housed, but are merely tethered to the bulwarks amidships. The staple food of the party while in the Antarctic comprised rice and vegetables, very little else being eaten. There are in all about twenty-seven persons on board. Fur and thick woollen stuffs comprised their clothing, but 'on account of the excellent weather experienced thick wrappings were not always essential. There were occasional blizzards, but they were of short dura. tion, and were not particularly severe. For the major portion of the time the sky was cloudless and occasionally the sun was noticeably hot. Lieut. Shirase, leader of the expedition, will return to Japan via Sydney, leaving the Hainan Maru at Wellington. He will be accompanied by Messrs. Takeda, Ikeda, and Murainatsu (scientists). Captain Nomura will take the Kainan Maru back to Japan.