i 9 ii] STABLING AT HUT POINT 213 
say majority of people seem anxious to get exercise, 
but one or two like the fire better. 
The dogs are getting fitter each day, and all save one 
or two have excellent coats. I was very pleased to find 
one or two of the animals voluntarily accompanying us 
on our walk. It is good to see them trotting against a 
strong drift. 
Tuesday, March 28. — Slowly but surely the sea is 
freezing over. The ice holds and thickens south of Hut 
Point in spite of strong easterly wind and in spite of 
isolated water holes which obstinately remain open. It 
is difficult to account for these — one wonders if the air 
currents shoot downward on such places ; but even so it 
is strange that they do not gradually diminish in extent. 
A great deal of ice seems to have remained in and about 
the northern islets, but it is too far to be sure that there is 
a continuous sheet. 
We are building stabling to accommodate four more 
ponies under the eastern verandah. When this is complete 
we shall be able to shelter seven animals, and this should 
be enough for winter and spring operations. 
Thursday, March 30. — The ice holds south of Hut Point, 
though not thickening rapidly — yesterday was calm and 
the same ice conditions seemed to obtain on both side?/ 
of the Glacier Tongue. It looks as though the last part of 
the road to become safe will be the stretch from Hut Point 
to Turtle-back Island. Here the sea seems disinclined 
to freeze even in calm weather. To-day there is more 
strong wind from the east. White horse all along under 
the ridge. 
