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Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 72, 26 March 1909, Page 3

DRAWING BACK THE VEIL.

WITHIN 97 MILES OF THE POLE. THE SHACKLETON EXPEDITION. EXPLORERS' THRILLING EXPERIENCES. BLIZZARDS, INTENSE COLD, AND TRANSIT TROUBLES. NEXT POLE SEEKERS MUST HAVE MORE FOOD. With the return of the Antarctic exploririg ship Nimrod to New Zealand yesterday, full details are available of the results of the expedition. It wiil be seen from the appended reports that one party of explorers reached to within 97 miles of the geographical pole, and that the magnetic pole — of im= portance from a scientific point of view — was located by another party, speaking to a Press Association representative, Lieutenant Shackleton, after stating that in the matter of exploration the expedition had been eminently successful, added: — ' "No one, of course, is ever satisfied with his work, but certainly, as adding something to our knowledge ok" the far South, the expedition has been successful. It has drawn back the veil a little more from the four million square miles that has been hidden from man up to the ipresent. There is one thing we are certain of: that the geographical South Pole is situated on a high plateau, which experiences the coldest and stormiest weather in the world: where in the height of summer it is possible to get 78 degrees of frsst, and one can realise a little from this what the weather must be like in the winter Yes, it is always possible to do everything in the world, even to reach tne South Pole. We gained a great deal, naturally, from the Discovery's expedition, and the next man will gain much from this expe= dition. There remain only 97 miles to be done, and one thing is certain: that the food must be increased if the party are to do the distance, because on a plateau such as that, with intense cold, our food was not sufficient."

[by telegbafh.— peiss association.] CHRISTCHURCH, 25th Maich. The Nimrod was delayed by a contrary wind, and was not signalled till 3.45 p.m. A considerable number of people went down by train, and the Harbour Board's tug took out tl}£ Harbour Board members and officials, with the intention of giving a formal welcome to the gallant explorers. Ou the tug were M.P.'s, civic authorities, Bishop Julius, at least twenty members of the press, many friends of both sexes of the Nimrod people, and Dr. Up'ham, who was to formally give the Nimrod a clean bill of health. One other small steamer also went out full of people. RADIANT WITH SUCCESS. The Nimrod was met at the Heads, and ,was greeted with cheers. Lieutenant Shackleton, radiant with the, success of nis dash for the Pole, which only failed by 97 miles, was heartily greeted, and with his men cheered in return. There were loud calls for Professor David, who was described as "below at his toilet," but presently appeared, and received a warm greeting. The Nimrod looked in excellent order, and ' showed ao sign of hard usage. The tug drew near, and every one who could scrambled on board, not waiting for what was understood would merely be a perfunctory passing by the Health Officer, who was overborne in the rush. , The ship was soon s>wamped with cheery, talkative visitors, who were shaking everybody, and especially Lieutenant Shackleton, by the hand. All attempt at the formal ceremony originally designed went by the board, and just about dusk the Antarctic ship was quickly berthed at a wharf crowded by people. On the way the ilaheno passed her, and fired a bomb, which was the signal for more cheering. The return of the explorers was a scene of quiet and pleasurable heartiness, without hysteria. Every one on board seemed in splendid condition and the best of spirits, and all were pleased and proud * that there had not been a single casualty except that Sir Philip Brocklehurst mourns the 1 loss of a big toe from frost bite. Professor David left for Sydney by the Malfeno.