Antarctic Expedition.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 276, 30 November 1901, Page 2

Antarctic Expedition.

[By Xelograpti —.Press Association.]

Lyttelton, last night. . ane exploring steamer Discovery came { n at H.4.J p.m. yesterday, and was met pJ the pilot and brought to an anchorage in the .stream. She wei" is far south as the ice pack, and the • .tv landed on the -Uacquarries. The tor passed her this morning, and t’ cs- -1 has been swinging and adjust e apasses. and bas not yet come T .e .Mayors of Christchurch and 1 .at ,a. and the reception committee ..oicomen the explorers this afternoon.

Christchurch, last night. | The Discovery, on her way from the i Cape, made a deviation south, entering | 1 the pack-ice in lat. Gii long. 141, in order i to try and get a sight of Adelie Land or Cote Ciarie, but the object was not attained, and, being pressed for time, the vessel put about, and headed for Lyttelton. A short stay was made at Maequarrie Islands, and a few hours were spent in collecting sea-fowl and their eggs. During the run across, serial magnetic observations were taken continually, and wnerever possible soundings were taken. Some interesting specimens were also obtained. The Discovery is said to have behaved herself extremely well, both during her trip across and during her brief experience in the pack. With regard to the sensational rumor cabled that she had been leaking badly, it is laughed to scorn, and Captain Scott declares it to have been a gross exaggeration. The vessel had been leaking, it is admitted, but not a j great deal more than is customary m the case of a new wooden vessel on her maiden voyage. In any event, the vessel will be docked here for cleaning purposes, and to tighten up the caulking, an operation necessary in the case of all new wooden vessels. It is probable also that during her fortnight's stay in Lyttelton, the whole of the stores will be discharged and reloaded, and the vessel will take away with her a substantial deckload of coal. When off Cape Saunders, the vessel had a curious visitation, a dock of sparrows, presumably driven off land by a gale, alighting upon her, some of tho birds being so exhausted as to drop dead on her deck.