THE SOUTH POLAR EXPEDITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9018, 3 January 1908, Page 7

THE SOUTH POLAR EXPEDITION.

•LIEUT. SHACKLETON'S PARTING WOKDS. ißefore the departure of the Nimrrod, on New Year's Day, the following farewell message was dictated by •Lieutenant Shackleton. the leader of :the Expedition: — "Now at the very moment of departure I .wish, through the medium of the Press, to address a farewell message to the people of the dominion of New Zealand. In the same breath I thank the Press for the public spirit shown by it, for it has been'unanimous, no matter what shade of political feeling held, in recognising the importance of the work that this Expedition hqp.es to do in the domain of pure science, and in the domain of the highest sentiment of all, the love of having one's own country in the van of progress. Though the ship is small, though the quarters are cramped, and difficulties inseparable from a small shin have to be encountered, I here to the .people of the dominion say, on behalf of the staff, officers and crew of the Nimrod, that we will do our utrrost to merit the confidence that has been placed in us, the generosity that has been bestowed upon us, and the desire that has been so apoarent to help us; and, whether we win to our hearts' desire, or whether we fall short of the goal, we hope to bring back some work that will have its value, not only in abstract science, but in science that directly tends to economic values. We leave this port of Lytteiton today strengthened, helped, and encouraged by the sympathy of the people of New Zealand. The Government has assisted us, and during the Christmas holidays, a time mostly devoted to pleasure, Sir Joseph Ward never neglected our earnest request. I could number by the hundreds individuals who have offered and given support in the matter of goods for the Expedition. Lastly, but nor least, there is the Union Company, which bears, to a , large extent, the cost of the towage of this vessel, which shows that those connected with the company are interested, not only in matters of mere commerce, but also in matters on the higher lines of scientific achievement. I wish, therefore, through the medium of the Press, to convey my warmest thanks to the dominion of New Zealand, wheie we have found not only heip, but a se.ondhome.".