THE ANTARCTIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15705, 6 March 1913, Page 7

THE ANTARCTIC

RECENT TRAGEDY EXPLAINED. LIEUT. NINNIS LOST IN CREVASSE. DR MERTZ'S DEATH. SEQUEL TO MALNUTRITION. DR MAWSOFS TRIALS. Preea Aeeociation—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, March 5. (Received March 5, at 11.15 p.m.) Professor David received the following wireless message from ,Dt Mawson today " The Aurora arrived on January 12, and all the 6ltdge parties had returned to the hut by January 17 except my party, comprising Lieut. Ninnis, Dr Mertz, and myself.

" On December 4, whilst exploring a new coast line 500 miles south-east of our winter quarters, Lieut. Ninnis, with on© dog team and almost all the food, disappeared in an unfathomable crevasse.

"Dr Mertz and I, with inadequate provisions and six starving dogs, struck out over a plateau for the hut, encountering unexpectedly bad weather, which retarded our progress. We subsisted chiefly on the dogs.

" On January 17 Dr Mertz died from, causes arising from malnutrition.

"On February 7 1' arrived at the hut, having travelled through the enow and fogs. I was miraculously guided by Providence through a heavily crevassod area..

" Captain Davis had waited until itwas no longer safe, and he is now proceeding to our western base. He left a few hours before my arrival at the hut." Tlie balance of the message rovers the information cabled yesterday. A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. SYDNEY, March 5. Professor David says that Dr Mawean's ■message makes the movements of the Aurora much clearer. She has probably secured Wild's party safely, and there is still a chance of the Maweon party embarking in a few days. If heavy weather prevents this he should be reasonably comfortable by remaining in winter quarters, wheTe ho is well provisioned. The professor does. not expect the Aurora will reach Australia before the end of March.