THE ANTIPODES DEPOT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2197, 22 May 1908, Page 3

THE ANTIPODES DEPOT.

IN A POOR CONDITION. STATEMENTS BY THE CASTAWAYS. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 21.' Captain Noel, of tho President Felix Faure, is very reticent in regard to the condition of tho depot placed on the Antipodes for tho uso of shipwrecked mariners. He was asked by a reporter on tlio day of his arrival in Christchurch how tho provisions in the depot had helped the needs of his men, but lie declined to say anything on that point. The position lie takes up is that ho and the members of his ship’s company have accepted tho hospitality of tho New Zealand Government, and he does not feel that it would bo becoming in him to criticise anything that the Government has tried to do in the interests of unfortunate san--01 From what the sailors have said to several persons who have conversed with them, however, it seems that the provisions were not altogether too wood, and several articles which would have been a great help to them were conspicuous by their abCaptain Bollons, of the Hinemom who visited the depot several months• a wo, states that there were plentiful supplies, but several articles ed bv him were missing when tlio j French sailors found the depot, lliero were no fishing lines or hooks, no tea, sugar, coffee, or even salt. It is. said that the blankets were old ones; and that some of the clothing had, evidently belonged to men who had-, dl ?T?icVof the definite statements; made by the French sailors and by. Captain Bollons there is a mispic on; that the depot had been entered bo-, tween the time wlmn it was last m spected by Captain Bollons and the arrival of tho castaways. . \ Captain Noel, it is understood, hasj wviten a confidential report to Cant. Bollons, describing the depot as lie, found it. and making some sug D y bUms. 7