THE POLAR REGIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14006, 15 September 1909, Page 5

THE POLAR REGIONS

DEPTH OF THE OCEAN. PEARY'S THREAT. 'Press Associafcion-lSy Tslegriiph-Conyright NEW .YORK., Sept. 13. Commander Peary, when five miles from the Pole, took ■ soundings, and reached a depth of 1500 fathoms, but found no bottom. Commander Peary, cabling to the "New York Times," says: —"If Dr Cook makes a statement before any reputable body, or even over his signature, that he reached the Pole, I will furnish material of rrreat -. interest." -

Comma mini- Peary's fifth companion to the Polo was a negro servant named Henson. A PECULIAR CTP.CUMSTAXCE. LONDON, Sept. 13. Mr Whitney, tFio millionaire explorer, who was on a sporting expedition in the neighbourhood of Etalrj states that he met Dr Cook, who spoke of his journey north, but did not mention that he had reached the .North Pole. ASTONISHINO STORY. Received '.).'>', •p.m., Sept. 14th. NEW YORK, Sept. IH. The portion ot CoiiimaiiTler Peary's story which is-"causing ihe • greatest astonishment is that he covered 138 ; miles'from latitude SS to the Polo in four days. TO THE ANTARCTIC. THE SCOTT EXPEDITION. Received 0.35 p.m.. Sept. 11th. LONDON, Sept. 14. Captain Scott expects to return to England in 1912. Lieutenant E. Evans, the navigating officer of the two relief expeditions, will ho second in command. Many members of the scientific staff and. crew of the 1001 expedition will accompany Captain Scott. His four motor sledges are sufficiently long to bridge dangerous crevices. Largo sums have already been promised for the. expedition, and Captain Scott on being . interviewed said £40.000 was put as the minimum cost. He felt, certain thpfc the overseas dominions, particularly ' Australia and .New Zealand, would, furnish a. good sum towards the expedition. They will be well represented on his staff.- He mentioned the .prospects of utilising ethergraphs between the ship and the shore. Much depended as regards the completeness of the entire equipment of the expedition upon a liberal and quick resoonse to. the appeal for funlf. He hoped to enter the ice at the on<i of Dooomlier.