elves for special duties; in
this the Expedition was assisted by many friends.

A complete, detailed acknowledgment of all the kind help received would
occupy much space. We must needs pass on with the assurance that our
best thanks are extended to one and all.

Throughout the month of November, the staff continued to arrive in
contingents at Hobart, immediately busying themselves in their own
departments, and in sorting over the many thousands of packages in the
great Queen's Wharf shed. Wild was placed in charge, and all entered
heartily into the work. The exertion of it was just what was wanted to
make us fit, and prepared for the sudden and arduous work of discharging
cargo at the various bases. It also gave the opportunity of personally
gauging certain qualities of the men, which are not usually evoked by a
university curriculum.

Some five thousand two hundred packages were in the shed, to be sorted
over and checked. The requirements of three Antarctic bases, and one
at Macquarie Island were being provided for, and consequently the most
careful supervision was necessary to prevent mistakes, especially as the
omission of a single article might fundamentally affect the work of a
whole party. To assist in discriminating the impedimenta, coloured bands
were painted round the packages, distinctive of the various bases.

It had been arranged that, wherever possible, everything should
be packed in cases of a handy size, to facilitate unloading and
transportation; each about fifty to seventy pounds in weight.

In addition to other distinguishing marks, every package bore a
different number, and the detailed contents were listed in a schedule
for reference.

Concurrently with the progress of this work, the ship was again
overhauled, repairs effected, and many deficiencies made good. The
labours of the shipwrights did not interfere with the loading, which
went ahead steadily during the last fortnight in November.

The tanks in the hold not used for our supply of fresh water were packed
with reserve stores for the ship. The remainder of the lower hold and
the bunkers were filled with coal. Slowly the contents of the shed
diminished as they were transfered to the 'tween decks. Then came the
overflow. Eventually, every available space in the ship was flooded
with a complicated assemblage of gear, ranging from the comparatively
undamageable wireless masts occupying a portion of the deck amidships,
to a selection of prim