THE TERRA NOVA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143671, 15 December 1911, Page 3

THE TERRA NOVA.

OFF TO THE ANTARCTIC. 7 Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 14. Tho Terra Nova, with seven Indian mules, 13 Siberian clogs, and a full supply of provisions, leaves early tomorrow on her return to the Antarctic. She is expected to return in April, if Captain Scott is unsuccessful- in reaching: the Pole .this byear, lie will remain another season, and the miles and dogs are being sent with the possibility of a second dash in view. THE LAST DAY IX PORT. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. T 4. The last day in port for the British Antarctic expedition ship Terra Nova was a busy one for all on board. Tho store lists were all carefully checked off to ensure that nothing had been omitted. Cases of stores and gear were com in",to .hand ail the morning, and were stowed* away in convenient places, and the perishable foodstuffs, including fresh-meat, eggs and fruit, were taken on board and placed in the ice house. Shortly before noon the steamer Purau vciu alongside tho Terra Nova with the mules and dogs, and then harness and other equipment. The mules seemed perfectly tame and tractable. The. seven mules and the fourteen decs are all in splendid condition, and appear to have ho ,■ -V ed very considerable hv their sta" in Quail Island, where .ilibv havd.'.be.en trained and exercised daily by Air. J. A. Donuiston, wiio is going south in charge of them. To the accompaniment of a chorus .of yelps and howls, the dogs were quickly got on board and tethered by short chains, to convenient stanchions. They exhibited great eagerness to get on board the ship, and settled down quite contentedly.. This afternoon they will be - -placed -in "their .sea-going quarters on the top of the ice-house, which has been covered ’with tarpaulins to protect them from the weather. Tb a mules «'t hoisted on board in the boxes, and . although one pr two nicked m a somewhat excitable manner When being slung, they were perfectly quiet when, being led int* their Jp.;ig. in the cosy little dock frouses. These houses b.aVo been divided by means of moveable rails, nn-d the floorin--' lias been covered with thick matting to nff' -d the little bents a footbold whop tho ship is rolling and labouring in heavy weather at sea. In half an hour the animals wore all on hoard and secured in the stalls. The work of spu-iring up the ship and stowing and lashing all deck gear was completed this afternoon,, and the Terra Nova is now quite ready to go to sea. A weather forecast is being got from the Government Meteorologist, hut conditions appear favourable and the ship will sail at 6 a.m. to-morrow on her relief voyage to the Antarctic.