About the Antarctic.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 55, 6 March 1914, Page 5

About the Antarctic.

THE MAWSON EXPED3TUOH

MACKELLAR ISLANDS CROUP.

[By Electric Teleguaph—Copyright] [United Press Association.] (Received 9435 a.m.) Sydney, March 0.

Mr Hurley, of Mawson’s Expedition, gives an interesting description of tlie Mackellar Islands group, which was a few miles north of Mawson’s main base. It was a great breeding ground for seals, rare gulls, petrels and penguins. He estimated that 150,000 Adelie penguins were breeding on the group at the time of his visit. VALUE OF THE NEW LANDS. NEWS CONTRACT CANCELLED. Melbourne, March 6. T)r. Mawson, speaking at the welcome to tli© Expedition, said he brought several tons of rock and mineral specimens, three to four huinjred birdskius, and a number of mammalh of the seal type. He also obtained indications of a large area of coal. At present lie could not estimate the commercial value of the now lands, but they may have much value, and it was only right that Australia should have it, as Australian and British expeditions accomplished practically all the work done there. Dr. Mawson stated that he had made exclusive arrangements with the London papers for the right of the main narrative; he, however, supplied certain news to the Australian papers, and as a result his whole contract with London had been cancelled.

THE FINANCIAL ASPECT. Melbourne, March 5. Professor Masson said that £IO,OOO would solve all the financial problems of Dr. Mawson’s expedition. Dcsp £ this need, the Commonwealth’s grant of £SOOO helped to smooth the financial difficulties. He expects to realise large sums from the salt? of pictures, as well as Dr. Mawson’s boat. So far, he had no occasion to be otherwise than cheerful as to the question of money.

SHACKLETON AND HIS RIVAL

Berlin, March 5. Lieutenant; Filch air asserts that he has transferred to Captain Koenig the right to carry an the uncompleted pro gramme of the Filcher expedition which entitled Captain Koenig to priority over Sir Ernest Shackleton.