UNLOADING THE TERRA NOVA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 962, 1 November 1910, Page 6

UNLOADING THE TERRA NOVA.

FINE FEELING ON BOABD.. OFFICERS AND MEN ONE' "BROTHERHOOD." (By Telegraph— Press Association.) Christchurch, October 31. The work of discharging stores and gear from the Terra Nova started at 8 o'clock _ this morning, and the decks of the ship presented a very busy scene. A large' quantity of stores was got up from the main hatch, and stacked on the deck for the time being, in order that the timber • and other material for the huts might be discharged into trucks. Every section and joist and board for I the huts is cut, and jointed, and numbered in readiness for erecting with the least possible delay, and the trouble and amount of timber used in the 'construction of two huts is surprisingly large. It completely filled five railway trucks. The material is to be placed on the rei claimed land at Officers' Point, and the huts and observatory will be temporarily erected there to give the men practice .in putting them together, and to ensure that everything fits well. A large quantity of rope and spare gear belonging to' the sfitp (which. will not be required during the Antarctic voyage) has been stored in a corner of the Harbour Board shed. The whole of the landing party's stores and 1 equipment will be discharged, and stored in the shed while the vessel is in dock, and everything is being got in readiness to place the ship in dry. dock on Thursday I next. Evidence of the keenness of both officers and men, and the feeling of good comradeship which exists was given this morning, when several ■ of the officers, stripped to their singlets, worked' with the sailors and shore stevedores in the ship's hold, breaking out cases and passing up timber for the huts. The morning was exceedingly sultry, but all hands worked strenuously, and the officers vied with the men in pushing ahead with the work. Two or three of the officers, grimy and perspiring, worked ill a hot shed stacking cases and bales of goods as they came ashore.

"t was exceedingly pleased with both horses and dogs. They are the finest set of animals ever got together—certainly for south polar work." Such was Captain Scott s opinion, expressed to a "Press" representative after inspecting the expedition's animals on Quail Island. Since they took up their residence on the island, the ponies and horses have put on condition, and are looking fit and eager for the work'bafore them.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.! Invercargill, October 31. In reference to a telegram from Christchurcli published this morning, stating that surprise had been expressed that no report had been received of the Terra Nova passing the signal station at the Bluff, the secretary of tbe Bluff Harbour Board writes to the Southland "Times," stating that the Terra Nova passed through the Straits about noon* on .Tuesday: She hoisted signal letters only giving ber name. She made no further signals, and did not ask to be reported all well. Deeming the matter of public interest, the secretary telephoned the fact of the vessel passing to the Southland "News," J,loyds' agent at Invarcargill, and later to the Southland "Times." Tt is interesting to note that at 2 p.m. on October 25 the s.s. Kotare passed the Terra Nova just off Bluff Hill. The vessels sainted one another, and on arrival liere Captain Treurn reported the matter to Dalgety and Co., local agents, and suggested telegraphing north, and that firm rang up the telegraph office, suggesting that if no report had already been sent a wire shonld bo sent to Christcburcli. As far as the Press Association is concerned, there is an agent at the Bluff who looks after all snipping movements, and consequently the Invercargill agents did not. consider it tbeir duty to report the passing of the Terra Nova.