ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10418, 23 March 1912, Page 6

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN'S FINANCE. United Press Association —By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received March 23, 10 a.m.) ' MELBOURNE, March 23. Captain Amundsen states that he has a heavy deficit, but is confident that the Norwegian Government and people will make it good. RETURN "OF THE KAINAN MARU. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 23. The Japanese Antarctic vessel Kainan Maru returned unexpectedly to-day. It is reported that the whole expedition has come back. It saw the Fram. . The Japanese are very reticent and will say little at present, but they neither saw nor hoard anything of Captain Scott. All the men have returned with the dogs and gear. They expect to be here for some days awaiting cables. They confined themselves to coastal exploration in King Edward CII. Land. [Frou Our Correspondent.] The Japanese Antarctic exploration ship Kainan Maru reached here, this morning all well, but reports that she was not successful in reaching tho Pole. The furthest south attained was SOdeg, smin s. lat. Lieutenant Shirase, commander, made the following statement:—" We started from Sydney on November 19 last year, proceeding direct to Whale Inlet, 7Sdeg 19min, landed part of our party, and, proceeding south-cast met the exploration ship Fram. Our boat then sailed south-east along the coast, and reached King Edward Seventh Land. We landed here a coast exploration party, but the boat still sailed south-east, and explored an unknown part of the sea. After this the boat returned via King Edward Seventh Land to Whale Inlet, and got on board our two parties. Then wo entered on the homeward voyage. In the exploration we lost none of our party all being well. We collected many scientific . specimens and facts, hut we must lyeer> those secret at present. The'ship will roach Japan in tho beginning of June. Our furthest south was SOdeg: smin s. lat. Wc will stay ten days in Wellington."