MAWSON'S EXPEDITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 238, 27 February 1913, Page 5

MAWSON'S EXPEDITION.

ANOTHER WIRELE-'S. By Cable—Press Association—v -pyriylit. ' Melbourne. February 2ii. Lord Denman received the. following wireless message from Di. Mawson at the Commonwealtli Bay winter quarter* of the ex|>t(lit.ion. v,a the Macquaries ami I loliartDuring the sledging season we were successful in opening up a large area ot new iand east and west (if Commonwealth Hay, obtaining important data at a number of stations in close proximity to the Magnetic Pole, i'robablv six of the staff .uui myself will lie unavoidably detained here for another year. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Xinnis and Dr. Hertz both lost their lives. All the others are alive and yell. Please communicate the following to King George: 'As leader of the Australian Antarctic expedition J take the opportunity of the first regular wireless communication between our main Antarctic base and other portions of your Majesty's Dominions to request permission to name the large area of newly-discovered land King George V. Land. It lies between Victoria Land and Adclie Land. Our most willing efforts are concentrated upon it.'" Lord Denman despatched the message to the King, and replied to Dr. Mawson deploring the calamity.

A REASSURING NOTE. Sydney, February 2S. Professor David says no apprehension need be felt for Dr. Mawson's party while wintering, since they have an excellent hut. Polar expeditions of this kind always land one year's more food than they are likely to require, in order to provide for contingencies. The word "probably" in the message implies that there is still a good chance of the Aurora being able to bring the Mawson party off on the return voyage from Wild's base. Anyway the return of the Aurora to Australia will probably be a little later than anticipated, as she may be delayed in attempting to reach land again at Dr. Mawson's winter quarters.

Professor David adds that it lias not been possible 'to obtain any news of Wild's party. Wild is a very able leader, and was Shackleton's right-hand man during the dash for the Pole. Wild's party totalled eight, and Mawson's, including Ninnis and Hertz, eighteen. Five others remained at the Macquaries.

XINNISR'S RELATIVES. Received 2G. 10.50 n.m. London. February 26. Lieutenant Ninniss's father was the naturalist of the South Australian surveying expedition in 1804 to the Northern Territory, and was also a member of Nares' Arctic expedition in 1875. SOME CONJECTURES. Received 26, 10.30 p.m. Melbourne, February '26. Professor considers that the information from Dr. Mawson is so meagre that they can only guess what happened. Dr. Mawson's words "unavoidably detained" may mean that he finds, work to do that must be done, or that his companions were not on the spot when the Aurora called to pick them up, and the vessel had to push on to get Wild's party.