ANTARCTICA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 5, 15 December 1911, Page 6

ANTARCTICA.

SCOTT’S EXPEDITION DEPARTS

A BOLD PROGRAMMi'

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, December 14. Tiie Terra Nova, with seven Indian mules, 13 Siberian dogs, and a lull supply of provisions, leaves early tomorrow on her return to the Antarc-

tic. She is expected to return in April. If Captain Scott is unsuccessful in reaching the Pole this

year, he will remain another season, and the mules and dogs are being sent with the possibility of a second dash in view.

THE LAST DAY IN PORI

Christchurch, December 14

The last day in. port for the British Antarctic expedition ship Terra Nova was a busy one for all on board. The store lists were all carefully checked off to ensure that nothing bad been omitted. Cases of stores and gear were coming to hand all the morning and were stowed away in convenient places, and the perishable food-sniffs, including fresh meat, eggs, and fruit, were taken on board and placed in the ice house. Shortly before noon the steamer Purau went alongside the Terra Nava with the. mules and dogs, and then harness and other equipment. The mules were carried in pairs in horse boxes and seemed perfectly tame and tractable. The seven mules and the fourteen dogs are all in splendid condition, and ippsar to have benefited very considerably by their stay on Quail Island, where they have been trained and exorcised daily by Air J. A. Deimisfon, who 'is going south in charge of them. To the accompaniment of a chorus if yelps and howls, the dogs were quickly got on board the ship, and settled down quite contentedly. This iftcrnoon they will be placed in their tea-going quarters on the top of the co house, which lias been covered with tarpaulins to protect them from :ho weather.

The mules were hoisted on board in the boxes, and although one or ';wn kicked in a somewhat excitable rainier when they were slung, they vero perfectly quiet when being led into their stalls in the cosy little dock louses. The houses have been divided by means of movable rails, and the flooring has been covered with hick matting to afford the little boasts a foothold when the ship is rolling and labouring in heavy weather it sea. In half an hour the animals were all on board and secured in their stalls.

’Flic work of squaring np the ship md stowing and lashing all dock gear was completed this afternoon, and :he Terra Nova is now quite ready jo go to sea.

A weather forecast is being got from the Government Meteorologist, but conditions appear favourable and the ship will sail at C a.m. to-morrow on her relief voyage to the Antarctic.