THE SOUTH POLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2666, 23 November 1909, Page 2

THE SOUTH POLE.

HOAV HARRY LAUDER NEARLY FOUND IT.

Harry Lauder has been quick to turn the topic of the moment'into professional use. He tells them at the London Tivoli in his new song, or rather in the patter accompanying it, liow lie and “Shack” nearly discovered the South Pole. Like another explorer much in. evidence at the present moment, Lauder supplies us with singularly few details of his remarkable expedition, and hero and there it is clear that lie lias got rather mixed up in his geography. It- would appear that ho met “Shack” in a public house, where he so impressed the explorer with his capacity as a shrimp catcher and beershifter, that he was engaged there and then us- a member of the expedition. Those who had hitherto supposed the Antarctic to be in the southern regions received with some reserve the statement of the comedian that he steered the ship in the direction of Norway and . passed through the Solway, Firth • and.’- -the - "Mediterranean" on the way. But he insisted that he got there, right enough. The privations -endured‘■at the Antarctic were nothing -as compared with the ordeals that had to be undergone.' after' ;the. returning Tionie. . : It , was ibanqueTs and balls everywhere, “and believe me,” added th’e veracious explorer, “my feet, have been sore ever since through the handshaking 1 have had to go through. Harry. Lauder struck- a rich vein when lie turned his thoughts to Polar exploration. The field is an extensive one, and in ,the light of recent'events its possibilities are almost unlimited. The comedian’s drollest sallies centred round his first meeting with “Shack” at the public house. “I am always verra dry in the .morning,” said the comedian to the explorer. “I wonder what is the cause of it?” asked the other. “Well, ye see,” said the comedian, growing confidential, “it is because I don’t drink enough at night,” and straightway he proceeded to make u<p for this oversight. “I notice you are a very swift drinker,” presently remarked the explorer, who had been meeting the outlay. “Yes, I am a verra swift drink-' er-r,” drawled the thirsty one.- “I don’t stand any risks —I once had my glass knocked over, don’t you see.”