SHACKLETON'S MISSION.

Northern Advocate, 7 December 1916, Page 2

SHACKLETON'S MISSION.

HIS ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND.

RECEPTION IN WELLINGTON,

A civic reception was tendered to 3ir Ernest Shackleton on his arrival in Wellington on Monday. Since his return form the Antarctic with the members of his party who were left behind on Elephant Island, the famous explorer has travelled almost continuously in order to make another journey to the Antarctic, to rescue the party at the Ross Sea base. He travelled from San Francisco in the Moana. Captain Worsley, who commanded the Endurance, and Lieutenant Stenhouse, of the Aurora, were also present. In extending a cordial welcome to Sir Ernest Shackleton, the Mayor ii Wellington, Mr J. P. Lulse, referred to the privations and suffering experienced by Sir Ernest, and laid special emphasis on his devotion to his comrades, even at the risk of his own life. He also paid tributes to both Lieutenant Stenhouse and Captain Worsley. "For the first time since my return to civilisation I am speaking before a British audience, and I wish to public. ly thank the people of the Empire, and particularly the people of New Zealand and Australia, for their sympathy and their great assistance so willingly given in a 'time of severe anxiety and stress," said Sir Ernest Shackleton, who was received with prolonged applause. "He referred to. the great assistance given him by the South American Republics, stating that Chili's expenditure on account of the marooned men was over £4000. In assisting the rescue they spared nothing, and he felt sure that, as the result of his visit, there was a closer bond of sympathy now than ever before between Great Britain and South America. Sir Ernest told the audience how very much he was indebted to both Lieutenant Stenhouse and Captain Worsley. He characterised the former's performance in bringing the Aurora safely back to New Zealand as one of the most remarkable pieces of seamanship the world had seen. (Loud applause.) As captain of the Endurance, Captain Worsley .had proved himself the best of. sailors and the staunchest of companions. When he (the speaker) returned from isolation one of the .first scraps of .paper he read contained the word Anzac. "I did not know what it meant then," he said, "but I was not long in finding out. My heart thrilled when I heard of the glorious exploits at Gallipoli, and I felt proud to belong to the same race. You can imagine how much more proud I was to have such a i New Zealander as Captain Worsley in charge of the Endurance." (Ap. plause.)