THE CALL OF THE ICE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1909, Page 9

THE CALL OF THE ICE.

MORE EXPEDITIONS ALREADY TALKED OF. "A FINAL DASH." MORE ELABORATE ARRANGEMENTS NECESSARY. [BY TELEGBAPH. — I'HESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURGH, 26th March. Lieutenant Shacklelon has not yet decided whether he will make further' Antarctic explorations, but the probabilities are that the next expedition in the direction of the South Pole will beled by him. For a final dash for the pole, however, more elaborate arrangements will be made. The supporting parties will be bigger, the number of depots larger, and the appliances more complete. Lieutenant Shackletou is naturally much disappointed at failing to reach the pole when only ninetyseveu miles off, but the plight of the small party was so desperate that it was either death or return. Those who know Lieutenant Shackleton say that had he been alone he would have pushed on at all hazards. He infoimed a reporter that the matter of reaching the pole was by no means an impossibility, but better equipment was required than what he was provided with. From what he saw of the surrounding country, the situation of the pole would be somewhere on the high plateau discovered by his expedition. This plateau is very irregular, and makes jvery hard travelling, and further, from its altitude is swept 'by severe blizzards which are one of the worst difficulties encountered. Regarding the Nimrod, Lieutenant Shackleton stated that she was to go back to England. FOR EXPLORATION WORK PURE AND SIMPLE. CHRISTCHURCH, 26th March. It was whispered on board the Nimrod _yesterday that Dr. Mackay may possfbly head another expedition to the Antarctic, not with the object of reaching the pole, however, but to cover a vast amount of exploration work pure and simple. It is stated that the expedition will be carried out on lines which differ materially from those usually laid down in undertakings of the kind, in so far as the whole of the work will be done close to the coast. This will be in order that dog sledges, moving very rapidly, and carrying members of the party, may be used with the utmost effect by skirting the coasts. Ample food supplies for the dogs could be secured in the shaps of seals and penguins, this fare also furnishing foundation for the larder of the men. This would enable the party to travel very light, and would also ensure a large amount of ground being covered each day. It is pointed out that the coasts extending from Graham's Land east to King Edward's Land are quite unexplored, and comprise an area of 1800 miles, which could be rapidly and effectively traversed by the meaub stated. The men, being carried on sledges, would have to do no marching, and of course would be in much better condition to carry out the mam object of the expedition, viz., scientific observations and researches. Nothing definite has been decided on in the matter, but the scheme appears to be most feasible and is endorsed by those who have had large experience of Antarctic exploration and "of sledge work. THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL. CHRISTCHURCH, 26th March. During the long winter night at the Base Hut, Messrs. Marston, Joyce, and Wild were busy preparing an official journal of the expedition', "Aurora Australis." In all one hundred copies were struck off for publication, and bound with wood taken from packing cases containing the stores, the pages being of specially prepared hand-made paper, and the whole volume secured by silk cord. The compositors (Messrs. Joyce and Wild) carried out their work under great difficulties, the type cases having to be heated by a lamp before "stamps" could be picked up. The intense cold also caused great trouble with the ink. Mr. Marston had considerable difficulty with the lithographic reproductions, these and a number of etchings being the result of his artistic endeavours. The results, however, are admirable, seeing the disadvantageous character of the circumstances. Spaces had been left for photographic reproduction of the members of the party, and these will be printed in subsequently. The "Aurora Australis" contains 120 pages filled with the most interesting matter. There is a splendid article by Professor David on the ascent of Erebus, and nearly every other member of the expedition supplied something of interest.