NEW YEAR RUNG IN AT DECEPTION ISLAND

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6802, 4 January 1929, Page 7

NEW YEAR RUNG IN AT DECEPTION ISLAND

TIME HONOURED CACOPHANY. WHALING GUNS STIR BIRDS TO REVELRY. United Press Association—By Electri* Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Jan. 2. Jn a copyright message from Deception Island, Sir George Wilkins says:— “Nowhere in tho universe war the old year rung out and tho New Year rung in more cheerfully than in this cosmopolitan outpost of industry. Clanging bells, grenade detonations, • steam whistles, the booming of four-inch harpooning guns, the rattle of rifles and revolver fire interrupted our feast at midnight. The boom of the whaling guns stirred millions of birds, our constant companions, to revelry, which continued all night. There is still much to bo done. Whether we continue outwork immediately depends on the whims of the weather.”

MAWSON’S PLANS FOR * ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. INQUIRIES IN LONDON. LONDON, Jan. 2. Sir Douglas Mawson’s forthcoming journey to England is definitely in connection with an Antarctic expedition. Moreover, there is every possibility of securing Scott’s vessel, the Discovery. British Government officials nave little to say, but they admitted 'to-day that certain negotiations had been going on. It is understood that these are in continuance of those begun many months ago when Sir Douglas Mawson’s desire for the expedition was first indicated. The position seems to have been carried considerably further, though whether, or if so, to what extent Mr. Bruce is backing the mission is not revealed in London. It is known that Sir Douglas Mawson desires a certain sum, which somo people a few months ago were apparently not optimistic about raising.