ach other and
exclaim, "An earthquake!" The occurrence gave rise to a discussion which
carried us to bed.

Seeing that we were to spend a long time on the island, the question of
building a hut was the first consideration. Through the kindness of Mr.
Bauer, who had just left the island in the s.s. 'Toroa', we were able to
live for the time being in the sealers' hut.

It was urgent to get the wireless station into working order as soon as
possible. The masts and operating-hut had been erected during the stay
of the 'Aurora', but there yet remained the building of the engine-hut
and the installation of the machinery and instruments, as well as the
construction and erection of the aerial. Accordingly we proceeded with
the living-hut and the job on Wireless Hill at the same time, working on
the hill most of the day and at the hut in the evening.

Wireless Hill rose to three hundred and fifty feet in height, and formed
part of a peninsula running in a northeasterly direction from the
main island. It had been chosen by Mr. Hannam of the Adelie Land party
because of its open northerly aspect, and because "wireless" waves
would probably have a good "set-off," southward to the Main Base in
Antarctica.

Just a few yards from the base of the hill on its southwestern side was
a huge rock, upon the easterly side of which we decided to build our
dwelling. The timbers for the hut had been cut and fitted in Hobart, so
all that remained for us was to put them together.

After working at high pressure until December 30, we were able to
establish ourselves in a home. The doorway faced to the east, and the
rock protected the small place from the strong westerly weather which
is invariable in these latitudes. The dimensions were twenty feet by
thirteen feet, the front wall being nine feet six inches high, sloping
to seven feet six inches at the back. All the timbers were of oregon and
deal, and particular attention was paid to bracing and strengthening
the building, which rested on piles just clear of the sandy surface.
The inside was lined and ceiled, and the roof of galvanized iron was set
flush with the front wall, fascia boards along the front and sides being
designed to keep the fine snow from blowing under the corrugations and
lodging on the ceiling. "George V Villa" was fixed upon as the name, but
the hut was never at any time referred to as the villa, and in future
will always be known as the Shack.

[TEXT ILLUSTRATION]

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