ANTARCTIC RELIEF SHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12415, 26 July 1902, Page 8

ANTARCTIC RELIEF SHIP.

THE MORNING EXPECTED AT LYTTELTON IN NOVEMBER. (Pee United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 25. The Hon. Mr Bowen has received a letter from the President of the Royal Geographical Society giving particulars regarding the despatch of the ship Morning to the relief of the Antarctic Expedition, and expressing great satisfaction at the action of the New Zealand Government in voting £1000 in aid of the funds. Sir Clements Markham says that the cost of fitting the Morning is greater than was anticipated. The Morning cau take 300 tons of coal, besides a deck load, a'nd will probably take on board 100 tons of provisions. The vessel should arrive at Lyttelton early in November, and will try tho icepack early in December. Cantain Colbeck, who is in command, is a reliable mail, having been one of the members of the Southern Cross Expedition. He is 30 years of age. During the Morning's trial trip her ongines worked very well. When Captain Colbeck finds tho Discovery, he will place himself under Captain Scott's orders, and Captain Scott will command both ships. Tbcy will do as much exploring work as the time durinc the navigable season of 1903 will permit. The two vessels will endeavour to return to Lyttelton in March of 1903. If Captain Scott has sueeecded in navigating the Discovery far beyond the most eastern l>oint reached by Sir James P.oss along the ice barrier, ho will probably have made his way eastward, and will come out of the ice somewhere in Ross Quadrant. Captain Scott has requested, in this contingency, that the Morning should not follow him, and Captain Colbeck will establish - depots containing two months' provisions—one at Cape Adare and one at Capo Crozier,—and will loave large quantities of coal and provifione at Wood Bay. Only in tho case of disaster to the Discovery will her retreating parties return to Victoria Land. At present it is feared that there is little likelihood of funds admitting exploring work by the Discovery during a third navigable season. After, the members of tho expedition havo been sufficiently rested at Lvttelton, Captain Soott will proceed to tho Falkland Islands, and there take scientific observations across the Pacific in as high'southern latitudes is can bo traversed safely. Ho then proceeds to England.