A CONVERSAZIONE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9117, 24 December 1907, Page 3

A CONVERSAZIONE.

THE OFFICERS xiND SCIENTISTS ENTERTAINED. A conversazione arranged by the Canterbury College Board of Governors and the 1 ' Philosophical Institute was held in the College Hall last evening, for the purpose of entertaining the officers and scientists of the Nimrod and the members of the recent subantarctic expedition. There was a large attendance, and the proceedings generally were of an informal character. Mr G. W. Russell, chairman of the Board of Governors, said that those present had met for the dual purpose of bidding farewell to the Nimrod expedition and welcoming the gentlemen who had recently returned from the southern islands. It gave him very great pleasure to welcome the members of the Antarctic expedition. The mission they were about to face commanded the sympathy and admiration of i,he people of New Zealand. Lyttelton was honoured in being once more the headquarters of aii Antarctic J expedition, and the people of the pro- | vince hoped that when Lieutenant Shackleton returned he would be able to say that ho had planted the flag entrusted to him by Queen Alexandra on the South Pole itself. The Southern Islands expedition had originated with the Philosophical Institute, the primary object being to carry the i&fgxnetic survey to the islands controlled by N-ew Zealand. The expedition had been extended to cover other branches of scientific research, and although the results hwid not yet been fully collated they could not fail to be of great value. Other expeditions would be made, and. in the end it might be proved that the dominion had originally been a part of America. Should such a result be achieved, Canterbury College, which had supplied the larger part of the personnel of the first expedition, would have reason to be proud. Mr E. C. Hogg, president of the Canterbury Philosophical Institute, extended a welcome to the members of the Antarctic expedition. He said that everyone would wish Lieutenant Shackleton good fortune in his venture, and success in establishing a new " farthest south" record. The Institute was particularly glad that the expedition had made s-uch full provision for the conduct of scientific investigations. Many problems had to be solved, and it might bo that some happy chance would place in the way of the expedition's geologists evidence bearing upon the geological and natural history of New Zealand and the southern islands. The magnetic work would also be most important, and Christchurch might well feel proud of its connection with the study of magnetic problems. The Antarctic expeditions had come to Lyttelton because Christchurch had a magnetic observatory, the establishment of which had been due to the energy of Dr Coleridge Farr. As far as the southern islands expedition was concerned, he could say that its work had been most successful. It was yet too early to say whether the data secured would be sufficient to prove that New Zealand and Austral in had originally been connected, but at any rate some steps had been taken in that direction, and perhaps Lieutenant Shackleton and his comrades would complete the work. Lieutenant Shackleton, who was briefly introduced by Mr Russell, said that ho wished to express his appreciation of the manner in which Australia and New Zealand had come to the assistance of the expedition on the financial side. The liberal gift of the Commonwealth had come as a great surprise. New Zealand had given exactly what he had asked for, and not content with that, however, Sir Joseph ■Ward had promised to arrange for the ■Nimrod to be towed down to the ice, and this would be of very great assistance to the expedition. In every way the generosity received from New Zealand had come up to his highest expectations. Although he had tackled fifty millionaires in England, and had been turned from their doors, he had known that when h^e came south it would be all right. "Every expedition that went to the Arctic or the Antarctic had the hope that it would reach i&e Pole, and he had never denied that one of the great objects of the expedition was to make an effort to get as far as the South Pole. At the same time it had to be remembered that the scientific side of the work was most important. The expedition was going to an unknown land, which had been seen so far only through snow and mist, and the information secured there could not fail to be of the highest value. The scientific investigations would not be sacrificed to the desire to reach, the Pole, because there were enough men to undertake both branches of the work. The Sub-antarc-tic expedition had. done something to prove that America was a part of New Zealand, and perhaps his expedition might be <able to show that the Antarctic Continent aleo wr.s really dominion territory, in conclusion, Lieutenant Shackleton said that the members of the expedition would leave Lyttelton with light hearts, because they had received in New Zealand the smpat-hy and encouragement which his previous experience had led him to expect. On behalf of the expedition he thanked those present for the friendly thought that had prompted the gathering. A series of lantern slides illustrating the trip of the Sub-antarctic expedition was shown, the pictures being explained by -Dr Cockayne. The slides gave very interesting- views of the animal, bird and vegetable life of th© islands. Dr C C. Farr returned thanks on behalf of the Sub-antarctic expedition He said that the expedition had been an important one, and ho believed that its members had done their utmost to make the work successful. Ho had been very glad to welcome the scientists of the Discovery and Nimrod, as then influence in arousing interest in scientific matters was most valuable. Dr Farr referred to the approaching visit of the American scientific vessel, the Galilee, and said that he hoped the ship would arrive before the departure of the Nirnrod. During the evening several musical items were contributed and refreshments were supplied. The proceedings closed with the National Anthem.