THE NIMROD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9116, 23 December 1907, Page 1

THE NIMROD.

♦ VISITED BY THE PREMIER. AN ADDRESS TO~THE EXPEDITION THE ANTARCTICTPOST OFFICE. On his arrival in Lyttelton early yesterday afternoon, Sir Joseph. Ward paid a visit to the Nimrod and addressed the members of the expedition: He also inspected the little vessel, and was shown the equipment^ which had been spread out in the shed where it is at present stored. The Premier, who was accompanied by Lady Ward, was met on the arrival of the steamer from the north by Lieutenant Shackleton and Mr J. J. Kinsey, and was escorted round to the Nimrod. The officers and petty officers of the silip were introduced to thePremier, and then Sir Joseph spoke briefly. He said that it gave him very great pleasure to visit the little vessel which was to carry the British flag into the Antarctic. He had taken a great interest in the expedition, which had the sympathy and good wishes of the people of New Zealand. He well knew the difficulties and dangers that would have to be met iu the course of the arduous work that lay befoite the expedition, and that had been undertaken for the benefit of science. It had been a very great pleasure to him to arrange with Lieutenant Shackleton for the opening of a post office at the winter quarters of the expedition on King Edward VII. Land. The stamps of the dominion would be used, so that New Zealand would have the distinction of possessing the first post 'office ever opened in the Antarctic. Lieutenant Shackleton had been appointed postmaster. The position would v not carry with it any large salary, because the duties would be light, and the number of letters to be dealt with would be small, but the leader of the expedition had been willing to assume the responsibilities of the first Antarctic postal official. The Premier mentioned that he had entrusted to Lieutenant Shackleton a small braes cylinder containing New Zealand eta-mps, which he hoped might be placed at the South Pole. He had also given the expedition a small silk dominion flag from himself and Lady Ward. " Every person iu New Zealand will lools forward with the greatest in- ' terest to the outcome of this expedition, and you will carry with you the heartiest wishes for your safety and success/' said the Premier. " The expedition is leaving our shores, and we feel that we have in a measure a connection with its work. It is a very great pleasure to every New Zealander, l believe, to know that we have been able to do something to assist you. from my knowledge of Lieutenant Shacklet.on, I feel sure that, you have a leader who will do all that is humanly possible to carry through the work you have undertaken. He has jeen to the Antarctic before, and is acquainted with the dangers and difficulties that have to be encountered, and we look 'forward with confidence | to his and your success." The Premier and Lady "Ward were shown over the Nimrod by Lieutenant Shackleton and Captain England, and. examined the quarters of the officers, scientists and men. They then visited the shed, in which the Ni-nrod's stoses. and equipmer^ have been temporarily housed, and were shown specimens of the various articles designed for the use of the expedition in the Far South. They took a particular interest in the furs, sleeping-bags, tents, sledges and ski: Sir Joseph Ward was accompanied to to\vn by Lieutenant Shaekleton and Captain England, and referred to the request made that the Government should allow one of its steamers to tow the Nimrod down to the ice, in order to save the exploring vessel's coal. He said that it would be difficult to arrange for tlie tow, but he would promise that the Government would make some arrangements to assist in the matter. He recognised that it was desirable that the Nimrod should be assisted to the edge of the ice in order that a good supply of eoal might be available for the exploring work that was proposed, to be undertaken before the vessel came back to Lyttelton.