THE DASH FOR THE POLE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 984, 26 November 1910, Page 8

THE DASH FOR THE POLE.

CAPTAIN SCOTT'S FAREWELL LETTER. THANKS THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND. IBy Telegraph.—Press Association.! Christchurch, November 25. Sinco his arrival in Christcliurch, Captain Scott, leader of tha Antarctic Expedition, has been the recipient of almost countless messages of goodwill and many genuino offers of support. As tho task of supervising the preparations has made many demands upon his time, he has not been able to 'acknowledge- personally more than a small proportion. ■ Being desirous of in somo way acknowledging the kindness shown to "himself and all members of tho expedition, Captain Scott has handed the following letter to the press for publication:— "On my departure to the Antarctic, I wish to express my appreciation of the treatment which tliis expedition has received from the people or New Zealand. Tho grant of £1000 which has been mado by the- Government cannot but bo considered a most liberal contribution, having regard to the population of tho country, and, it i≤ the more esteemed sinoo it was promised by Sir Joseph Ward at an early date, when the enterprise was in its most serious need of support. Following this noble load, and sinco its arrival in New Zealand, the expedition has been in receipt of a continuous stream of gifts in kind and even in money. So numerous are these contributions, that I havo been, unable to express my gratitudo to individual donors, though I havo endeavoured to return . thanks through those gentlemen in various districts who have generously given their services to organising supplies offered in accordanco with our requirements. In tho absence of direct thanks, I trust that the givers, willbclievo that I fully realise tho help which jihey have given us. Finally, 1 would record my'gratitude for the extraordinaryconsideratjon which has. been' given to the wish which I expressed on arrival, that tho work of preparation at Lyttelton should bo'as free from interruption as possible. No complaint has been made, in spite of the very meagre opportunities to inspect the Terra Nova and her equipment which have been offered to tho public. This forbearance indicates that tho importance of our preparations has been generally' understood, and it is satisfactory to record that it has helped us to complete them with a thoroughness which I believe has rarely if ever been equalled. Thanks to the splendid enthusiasm of my comrades,, and the capacity which they have already shown, I shall leave New Zealand with, high hopes of accomplishing tho objects of tho expedition, but whatever measure of success may reward our efforts, wo shall not forget the .encouragement which we havo received from all parts of this Dominion."