WHAT OF SCOTT?

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1385, 11 March 1912, Page 5

WHAT OF SCOTT?

OPINION OF MR, J. J. KINSEY. HAS HE BEEN BEATEN? Christchurch, March 10. Mr. J. J. Kinsey, interviewed regarding the cable messages referring to Captain Amundsen's achievement, said that ho still believed that if Captain Amundsen reached the Tolo on December 14, Captain Scott was there before that date. He had every faith in. his. expedition, and its equipment and personnel. He was willing to give Captain Amundsen credit for his long experience in Polar work, but, on tho other hand, ho had complete confidence that, with the experience which Coptain Scott had had on the ice, man for man, and equipment for equipment, it would be found that the Englishman had arrived at the Pole first. Ho had had many conversations with Captain Scott in Christchurch, and had always quietly impressed upon him the feeling that was dominant in every Britisher that the Pole should bo made his first consideration. Ho had felt that that was Captain Scott's duty to the nation, and although Captain Scott had tried to persuade him that scientific investigation and exploration work were the more important, he believed that the explorer was speaking against his own convictions. Captain' Scott was a very high type of man, thoroughly sportsmanlike, and possessed a great generosity and integrity, and, Mr. Kinsey added, ho had just a fear that when Captain Scott heard that a Norwegian was on the scene, and intended to make a dash for tho Pole, he might decide' to let his rival liavo the field to himself. That, at any rate, would be his' impulse, but tho disappointment of members of the expedition at not being allowed ! to enter into competition would probably over-ride any decision of that character which the leader might arrive at. In the circumstances he was convinced i that Captain Scott would make every effort i to get to the Polo, and to bo there first. If Captain Scott did not succeed, everybody would say: "All honour to Around:sen," but ho repented his conviction that Ithc Britisher would bo there first. I Regarding a suggestion that, if Captnin [Scott had reached tho Pole, ho would have : hurried back to New Zealand, Mr. Kinsey said that this was unlikely. Captain 1 Scott would do his best to complete the exploration work which ho had set himself to undertake. As to the absence of any statement by Captain Amundsen of having seen Captain Scott in Antarctica, Mr. Kinsey thought that it might mean that Captain Amundsen did not wish to interfere in any way with Captain Scott's own message. Apart from the liberal concessions inado by the Government, the Lyttelton Harbour Board, the Railway Department, and tho kind and expensive gifts of the public, Mr. Kinsey said that, he had spent, in hard Icosh," i'lo,ooo in Lyttelton and Christchurch in connection with the expedition, and that sum probably would he considerably increased before they had completed the work.

NORWEGIAN REJOICINGS. dIRISTIAXIA GAY WITH BUNTING. Christiania, March 8. King Haakon, the Norwegian Government, and tho Norwegian Geographical Society have telegraphed congratulations to Captain Amundsen. The city is gay with flags flying in honour of Amundsen and his party. BRITISH EXPEDITION. SIR ERNEST SIIACKLETON'S HOPES. London, March 8. Sir Ernest Shackleton, speaking at tho Mansion House, said it was very likely that Captain Scott had also reached the Tole. AMUNDSEN AND SCOTT, CONDITIONS FOR DR. MAWSON. Hobart, March 9. Denying responsibility for the rumour that Captain Scott had readied the I'olo, Captain Amundsen declared: "I knew nothing of Captain Scott's movements." Captain Amundsen still refuses to be drawn, with reference to his own achievements. He told the secretary of Dr. Mawson's expedition that the weather conditions in the Antarctic were favourable for Dr. Mawson's observations. STILL SILENT. AMUNDSEN AXD THE PRESSMEN. (Rec. March 11, 0.10 a.m.) Hobart, March 10. Captain Amundsen is not yet prepared either to confirm or deny the statement reported by cable from London. AMERICAN VIEWS. WHAT DB. COOK THINKS. Now York, March 8. Professor Osborne, head of the Museum of Natural History, believes that Captain Amundsen would not make a claim that he had reached the Pole unless he actually got there. Dr. Cook declares that it is extremely probable that both men were at tho Polo almost at tho same time. A COMPARISON. SHACKLETON'S EXPERIENCES. BLIZZARD AND LOW TEMPERATURE. November 3' (1908).—Shackleton leaves his base nt Hut Point, Cape Royds. November 22.—New land sighted. December s.—Begins the ascent of Beardmore Glacier, January 9 (1909).—Party of three reaches 88deg. SSmin. south latitude, within 100 geographical miles of the South Pole. Temperature, 18 degrees below zero. A blizzard raging. January 19.—Reached top of Beardmore Glacier on return journey. February 28.—Returned to Hut Point. Total time on journey—l2G days. Total distance covered—l7oß statute miles.