LIEUT. SHACKLETON'S DEPARTURE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LX, Issue 9347, 19 April 1909, Page 5

LIEUT. SHACKLETON'S DEPARTURE.

On Friday afternoon, Lieutenant Shackletou. commander of the recent Nlmrod Antarctic Expedition, with Lieutenant Adams, left Welliugtou by the steamer Rivenua for Sydney, en route to Eugiaud. The Premier and Lady Ward, Hon. Dr Fiudlay aud Mrs Fiudlay, and a number of Victoria College students, were among those preseut ou the wharf to give a sendoff to the departing explorer. Lieutenant Shackleton gave the following final message:—"On the eve of my departure I wish, from the bottom of my heart, to thank the people of New Zealand for the thousand and oue kindnesses they have shown to me aud to the members of the expedition. To the Government of New Zealaud, the Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet, the Union Steam Ship Company, Captain Evaus, and Mr J. J. Kinsey I owe a special debt of gratitude. It is particularly gratifying to me aud to those who have worked so loyally aud bravely with me in the interests of the expedition to find not only my immediate friends but also thousands of the people taking such a keen and sympathetic interest in our doings and discoveries in the Far South. I cau assure one and all that though the Homeland ties are now calling strongly to me across the intervening leagues of oceau, it is with genuine regret that I shall watch the shores of New Zealaud fadiug in the haze of distauce."