THE ANTARCTIG EXPLORERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2477, 16 April 1909, Page 5

THE ANTARCTIG EXPLORERS

ENTERTAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 15. Lieut. Shaekleton was entertained the Prime Minister and the Ministry at the Grand Hotel at luncheon this afternoon. Sir Joseph Ward presided, with the Hon. J. Carroll in the vied-ehaiv, and the guests present ineluded other members of the Ministry, Air. Justice Williams, Mr. Justice Denniston, Air. Justice Chapman, and local members of both branches of the Legislature and other leading citizens. The Prime Alinister proposed the health of Lieut. Shaekleton, which was received with enthusiastic cheers. Sir Joseph mentioned that Lieut. Shaekleton left New Zealand for the Old Land; to-morrow, and tliey desired to wish him good health and a safe return to those near and dear to him. _ The Premier made reference to the intrepidity shown by Lieut. Shaekleton and those associated with him, as an example which was well worthy of emulation by all who might come after them. It was interesting to notice that New Zealand was made the starting point of an expedition which'was the first expedition embarked upon without all tlie necessary funds being available. New Zealanders were also proud that Lyttelton hud been made the headquarters of the expedition, and that so many relics of the expedition had been left behind in this country. Lieut. Shaekleton had overcome the difficulties of the expedition in a way that commended itself to tho hearts of the people. The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Si t Joseph Ward also referred to Lieut. Adams, who was second in command in the expedition, wished him every success in the future, and expressed the hope that future expeditions would be conducted under tbo same guidance. (Applause). Lieut. Shaekleton, who was received with loud applause, referred in modest terms to “too little expedition’.’ from which hei had just returned, and expressed his appreciation of the goodwill shown by Australia and New Zealand in rggard to the expedition, and to the way in which both countries bail responded financially. The expedition had not done all it wanted to do, but he paid a trib-"-'* to Captain Scott, of the Discovery, the' pbmeor of such enterprises, and to all tb <so :• v<s~:ated with him in tho oxpedil on that had .m.-.t been completed, and ad,fed that some of the landmarks ir< the Far South •would be named in such a way as to perpetuate the knowledge of the country which had treated them with such consideration and given them such hearty support. [Applause.) Lieut. Adams also replied briefly, but with excel lout effect.