Alluvial mining at Skippers: a prospector at work. -
Otago Witness, 5.4.1911. COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE
FROM STAR STATIONERY SHOP, LOWER STUART ST, OR
WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
The following cable message, describing the meeting of
some of the members of the British Antarctic expedition with
Captain Amundsen's Norwegian expedition was forwarded to London
from this city last night: -
"When following the barrier from King Edward VII Land, with a
view to landing the eastern party in the vicinity of Balloon
Bight, we found the Fram at the Bay of Whales. We visited the
Fram, and learnt that Captain Amundsen, Lieutenant Johansen,
and a party of seven were established in winter quarters two
miles from the edge of the ice. Captain Amundsen returned in
the early morning and invited the English officers to
breakfast.
"They visited the hut, which had every appearance of comfort.
The men were in excellent health and condition. The stores
were being landed and transported to the winter quarters, and
seals were abundant. Captain Amundsen and his officers
lunched on the Terra Nova, after which the ship's company
visited the Fram. Captain Amundsen's sole object is to reach
the Pole, travelling via Beardmore Glacier, after which he
intends to carry out his original programme of Arctic
exploration. In the meantime the Fram will proceed to Buenos
Aires, returning to the barrier in 1912.
"Their equipment includes 116 Greenland dogs, sufficient
sledges, skis, and dogs to work 13 in a team, there being two
teams to each sledge, working on alternate days. The load is
100lb for each working dog. The party will ski alongside the
sledges. The men are clothed in seal furs. The dogs' food is
dried fish. The Terra Nova left the message announcing the
meeting of Amundsen at the Discovery hut, which Captain Scott
will find on his return from the depot journey".
• For the purpose of selecting a site in Southland for a
high-power wireless station, Mr J. Orchiston (Chief Engineer
of the New Zealand Telegraph Department), in company with
Captain Gard'ner (of the Permanent Force, New Zealand
Artillery), and representatives of the Australian Wireless
Ltd (which company has secured the contract for New Zealand
installations) is at present in Invercargill. Contrary to
expectation, a high altitude for the station is not likely to
be selected as a station in the centre of an extensive area
of flat lands produces the best results.
The Seaward Bush district is accordingly regarded as the most
suitable site. The station will involve the erection of a
steel tower, 400ft high, insulated from the ground, and
weighing about 50 tons. The tower will be kept in position by
hawsers attached to heavy concrete anchors, and wires
resembling the ribs of an umbrella will radiate 1000ft all
round it.
- ODT, 3.4.1911.
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