The Antarctic Exploration.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXI, Issue 6531, 15 April 1896, Page 4

The Antarctic Exploration.

THE COMING EXPEDITION. FINAL ARRANGEMENTS BEING MADE. After leaving Australia in June last- Mr C. E. Borchgrevink, the Antarctic explorer, at once set to work to organise another expedition to more thoroughly exploit the unknown southern seas. With characteristic energy he began an active propagandism," and arouse in the public of England, the Continent, and America that enthusiasm which already existed in scientific circles. Lectures were delivered in jiany of the leading cities of 1 Europe, and everywhere the account oi what has already been done and what remains to be done in the way of Antarctic research was everywhere - received with gratifying applause. The world's greatest seientists heard the tale in the Imperial Institute, at the annual gathering of the British Association at Norwich, at the Christiania University (Sweden), at " Die Gesellschaft fiir Erdkunde" (Berlin), at the Hamburg Geographical Society, ip Edinburgh, "Glasgow, New York, Boston, and Chichago. At these gatherings' such men as Mr Clements Markham, the great Polar' authority, Dr Murray, of the Chair lenger expedition, the Marquis of Lothian, and Professor Senior, of the Christiania University, presided, and there were present scientists of world-wide celebrity. All this continuous drumming of things South Polar into the public ear has had the effect of raising interest in the South Polar continent. It is interesting to know Mr Borchgrevink's opinion relative^to the alleged discovery of the North Pole by Dr Nansen. Talking : to : a New York World reporter, he said I cannot believe iK ; : No oiie would be more glad than myself, if Nansen has sdecoded ; but the fa'ct that ' the news comes from Siberia makes me discredit it. All this is in. direct. opposition .to Dr Nansen's plans as he disclosed them. His intention was, if he reached the Pole, -to cross it and come back by-way of - Greenland. This news indicates that he is returning by the same route that led him towards the Pole. It seems preposterous when one considers "the possibilities that would be sacrificed" and. the indomitable courage of a man like Nansen.. He would go on, on, on, and not turn back and send news home by way "of Siberia:*" " Dr Nansen is as a ecu rate; as'S tanl ey in confining himself to facts. His tendency will be to

leave a great many things unsaid rather than to exaggerate. He haa visited the ice region for. the. purpose of testing the power of the currents and the movements of the ice floes. He had demonstrated his endurance by crossing for the first time the wild frozen wastes of Greenland. From, the fulness of his experience he designed his vessel, the Fram, and gave personal attention to even the smallest i detail of her equipment, and he selected his crew with the utmost care from men trained in Arctic experience. lam con- ' fident that we shall hear of him, but this is not the time to expect it. As I said before, I hope the news may be true, but I doubt it." Mr Peary expressed similar views. Ic is not generally known that Dr Hansen previous to leaving for the North meditated a visit .to Australia on a lecturing tour, an aim which he had long had at heart. The trip, however, had to be abandoned at the last minute, owing to his personal supervision being required in connection with the building of the Fram, which was then about to be commenced. In a letter at the time to Mr W. H. Crummer. hon treasurer of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia in Sydney, the intrepid explorer expressed his regret at having to i postpone the voyage, and from the tone ; of the letter there was conveyed the idea ; that on his return from his present trip i he will take the firat opportunity to visit the colonies which he so much desires to i see.