NIMROD'S ANTARCTIC TRIP.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 67, 12 December 1907, Page 10

NIMROD'S ANTARCTIC TRIP.

PREPAIIATIONS. WEEDS OF THE MANCHURIAN PONIES: ' ,' IDI TELEGItAFII—PRESS ASSpqliTlok) . Christoliurch, December 11. The work of '.reloading the '. strifes and equipments for the landing party >k1 fllso for the crew of' the' Antarctic exploration ship Nimrod is ' proceeding apace uiiuer ' cub direction-of .tho first and ■ second officors and Air. Koid, manager of tlio expedition.'Several stevedores liavo boon engaged for tiio work of stowing'the cases and packages in the hold, as it is very necessary that every availablo inch or space shall bo carefully utilised. It is stated that tho Nirarod'will , not leave .Lyttelton- before January 1. Tho date "of = her departure will lie 'either Now i'ear's Day or later. It 'is also understood that it has been "definitely decided to engage a steamer to tow' the Nimrod to the :co,' out tho name of tho vesel is lipt yet known. Dr. Forbes Mackay, who is to have chargp of the Manchurian ponies, has , taken up his residence on Quail Island, so as to be 'on tho spot ; while the , animals are being broken in to harness work. It has been decided to erect- the stalls for the accommodation of the ponies on'board the Nimrod on each side of tlie fore hatch. The stalls will be of very stout construction to enablo them to withstand any possible damage when'the vassol goes into heavy wcathor;. Each' stall will measuro six • feet in length by 2 fcot G inches in breadth. This appears to' bo a very limited space for each'pony, but the ■ animals are small, and will have to be on their feet during the wholo time they are on board, and deck space on the little vessel is also very limited. The. narrowness of the stalls will afford some' support for tho ponies, for it would be a rather serious matter if aiiy of them should got oft their feet and get "thrown in their, stalls. They, '.are 'very excitable little beasts, and. any of them might be :ser'iously, injured. if ; thoy got down in their stalls. , • .. .' . Accommodation for twelve pomes is.to -be provided; --although it is stated that only eight'may bo taken on the .Nimrod.