ANTARCTIC POST OFFICE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9013, 24 December 1907, Page 6

ANTARCTIC POST OFFICE.

SET OF NEW ZEALAND POSTAGE STAMPS. LIEUT. SHACKLETON'S CHARGE: When. Lieut. Shackletl sets out trom his base in the Antarctic regions for his final dajh : to the South Pole he will carry with him a little brass case, not uilike a cartridge case. Should he succeed iri reaching the Pole—as, Being better equipped than other expeditionists, he fully hopes to do,—he will bury this case at the mystic spot. New ZealanderswiU then have the satisfaction of knowing that at the South Pole has been placed a complete set of New Zealand postage stamps. This little memento has been presented to Lieut. Shackleton by the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward). In addition to one stamp of' all the various denominations, there has also been placed inside -.the case a miniature New Zealand flag, worked in silk by 'Lady Ward, and containing round its edges the intials of the Premier and Lady Ward, and the names of all the members of the family. The case itself is inscribed on the outside as follows ;__'<Specimens of New Zealand stamps. Presented to Lieut. Shackleton, leader of the British Antarctic Expedition, 1007, by the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G., Prime Minister, of New Zealand." There will also be added some indication that the flag inside is that of New Zealand.

"I have also officially appointed Lieut.,, Shackleton a postmaster of the dominion," remarked' Sir Joseph Ward with a smile to a "Dominion" representative, so that should the 'expedition be successful there will be a branch of the New Zealand Post Office nominally established at the South Pole." . v ;

In connection with the Premier's announcement at Martiiiborough regarding the Post Office at King Edward VII. Land, Sir Joseph Ward explains that the stamps to be used will be of a special kind, and will be over-printed; and a charge will be made for them. Letters wUl_ be posted by members of the expedition, and the stamps officially cancelled by Postmaster 'Shackleton. ' Thqir delivery is likely to be long delayed, but their arrival many anxious ones will await; and many, keen philatelists will no doubt be on the watch for the new curiosity in stamps.