CHART MENDING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1253, 9 October 1911, Page 4

CHART MENDING.

WHAT WAS DONE AT THEEE KINGS (Br Tclecraah.—Press Association.) Christchurch, October 7. The Terra Nova, British Antarctio expedition ship, which lias been engaged on coastal survey, arrived at Ijyttelton about noon to-day. Tho object of her cruise was to detino the one hundred fathom line in tho vicinity of North Capo and tho Throe Kings. This was duly attained. Somo 535 absolutely (ixed soundings were taken, but these have yet to bo worked out. Houghly speaking, however, they demonstrate tho fact that tho 100-t'athom lino, instead of continuing unbrokon from oil' tho mainland round tho outermost island, is divided by a narrow, deep channel, between the most southerly points of tho group and tho mainland, It was also ascertained that tho configuration of tho islands, as shown on the chart, is incorrect, and then 1 con-' liguration and position will be definitely fixed once the information which has boon collected by tho ship has been plotted, Somo dredging was also done, and Mr. billio obtained n good collection of planton organisms that iloat on the surface of the water. In the passage southward to Lyttolton one or two deep soundings wero also taken, liaikoura was reached at 3.30 a.m. last Thursday, and tho work of delining the 100-t'athom line from tho point (some distnuco south of Koikoura) where tho Admiralty soundings ended was begun. Threo miles south of Koikoura. a depth of 500 fathoms was recorded, and, about a,mile from that sounding, only 50 fathoms wero found. The ship's foundings cxtendetf for thirty miles along tho coast northwards, 40 soundings boing taken. _

Tho hands will be given leave on Tuesday for a fortnight, and, after that, there is refitting to bo done, and stores will bo shipped when thoy arrive from England. A hut for tho Antarctic will also bo taken on board. The Terra Nova will leavo Lyttolton for the expedition's baso at M'Murdo Sound on December 15.