TERRA NOVA BACK.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1671, 11 February 1913, Page 7

TERRA NOVA BACK.

CAPTAIN SCOTT ON BOARD. QUEST FOR THE NEWS. I, THE REPORTERS HELD OFF. . (By Tdesraph,—Press Association.) Oamaru, February 10. The Terra Nova .arrived at Oamaru from the Antarctic at 2 o'clock this morning, and landed two men, supposed to bo Captain Sqott and ono of his officers. \ REPORTERS & OFFICERS. Christchurch, February 10. Tho two members of the party who landed at morning were Lieutenant Pennell and Dr. E. Atkinson, ono of tho surgeons who remained with Captain Scott's party in tlie They joined tho north express and camo to Christchurch, arriving hero this evening. On the arrival of the train nt .Timaru they were. seen by a reporter, but thoy. refused to give any information. "We don't mirid you asking," one of them said, "Thoso are your orders, but ours are to say nothing." ; It was generally surmised that one of tho two men was Captain Scott, but-they refused to reveal their identity-and the news went out that tho travellers wore Captain Scott and ono of his officers. At Hakaia a "Press" correspondent sought' 'further information, but "the answer Tvas: "We are very eorry, but wo are afraid we can't even give-you our names. Wo would bo pleased to do so if we could, but you understand our position." . ' ■ "

At AEliburton thoy were met by Mr. Hugo Friedlander (chairman of tho Lyttelton Harbour Board) who had a talk with one of them'.< ' The express was slowing up at .Christ-' church when a reporter saw •. tho two young men alight and hurry up tho plat-, form. One of them turned slightly round and the; pressman recognised Lieutenant Pewiell. They were dressed in ordinary olothes, and all they carried was a smsjl bag each. The reporter was soon chatting to Lieutenant Pennell, who was hurrying through one of the exits into the street,

"Sorry, but I can't give you a word," said the lieutenant. "You know we aro bound to secrecy, and we cannot tell you anything. The only man who can give you any information is Captain Scott."!

The reporter' asked if it was Captain Scott who was now walking ahead of Lieutenant Pennell, but the lieutenant explained that he was so : bound down to say nothing that he could not even answer that. It transpired, however, that Lieutenant Pennell was accompanied by Dr. Atkinson, and that Captain Scott is on board the JTerra Nova.

By this time Dr. Atkinson had entered a taxi-cab, but while Lieutenant Pennell was not disposed to impart the news he held, lie patiently ptood at the door of tho taxi in conversation, only to shake his head in reply to each query put by the pressman. „

Both men looked in excellent health, but when asked as to tho health of tho other members of the party Lieutenant Pennell said: "I can't even tell you that. As I said before Captain Scott is the. only one who can tell you the story, but j. can tell you this: That Captain Scott has arranged to supply an account of t]ie expedition to the Zealand papers." • When? -■' : ■ I:-.. V '.Twenty-four-hours after it has reached London. • . . Questioned as to the movements of the Terra Nova, and when and-," where Captain Scott would land in' New Zealand, Lieutenant Pennell shook his head in a manner which signified that there was to bo no reply, Then he. smiled, Etiid good-, bye, and again •'expressed his regrot; n't not being able jto give, any information. He jumped into tho taxi, and drove away. .- ' ' ■ /.

It is understood, however, that the Terra Nova, with Captain, Scott on hoard, Bailed from Oamarii to-day for Lyttelton, and tho'vessel, should teach her destination late to-morrow night!or early next morning. '

From the railway station Lieutenant Pcnnell and Dr. Atkinson drove to the cafe and afterwards proceeded to the office of . Mr. J. J.' Kinsey, who is tho agent for tho expedition in New Zealand.

When tho news of the arrival of tho Terra Nova at Oamaru was first received a "Press" roporter interviewed Mr. Kinsey. He stated that he. had heard,; nothing concerning the vessel's arrival, 1 beyond the news that, the papers had received. "You know as much as I do," added Mr. Kinsey. Seen after tho arrival jn Christchurch of lieutenant' Pennell and Dr. Atkinson, Mr.'Kinsey again said that there was no information available. From, the information procurable to-day it was found that no news of the expedition . would be available to-night. The first persons to be served , with the information aro. the purchasers of tho copyright in England, and New Zealand and Australian papers will have to wait until after tho news is received in England.

i OTHER PARTICULARS. , Christchurch) February. 10. Tlie Terra Nova returned much earlier .than was expected; It was given out that the Terra Nova vould return to New Zealand 6omo time in March, and, indeed, Mrs. Scott, wife of the leader of the expedition/ who left San Francisoo.. a few clays ago. on her way out to meet her husband, confirmed this statement. It may ba of course that the Terra Nova, on arriving nt her base, found _ tho whole party waiting, and everything in readiness for an immediate return. Tho Terra Nova sailed from lyttelton only a few weeks afro (on December 14) for tho Antarctic, whenco she returned. On April 4 of last year, tho last news brought from Captain Scott was that ho was well on his way to tho Polo, and had every chance of reaching it* and members of tho expedition said that""' they were satisfied that ho would do it. When the return party left him (on Jnnuarv 3, 1911), Captain Scott still had five men and', large supplies of food, quite sufficient to take him to the Pole and back again to his depots. If ho covcrcd only eight miles a day he -would do it easily, but, as a matter of fact, he' was doing i fifteen. When, however, Captain Amundsen, tho Norwegian explorer, returned with tho victory won,, the interest in Captain Scott's chances of reaching tho Polo somewhat. declined, for it seemed plain that the Norwegian had been first. Scott's expedition, however, aimed at achieving a vast amount'of scientific work, altogether apart from reaching tho South Pole. No other expedition had so many scientific, investigators in its ranks, and tho results achieved aro expected to bo of tho very highest value.

PARTY ALL WELL. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Chrlstchurch, Februray 10. Tt is not cxpeofed that the Terra Nova will peach Lyttclton before Wednesday or Thursday morning, as tile vnatlier conditions are not favourable at present. Indications are that (ho wholo of tho ship's company aro well.

SCOTT'S DASHES.

HISTORY FROM 1901 TO 1913. It was in 1901 that Captain Scott first attempted the feat of reaching the South I'olp. In December, 1902, lie reached a latitude of SMeir. IQmin, 33scc. south, •tnrtlnß from about "Meg. of latitude, and so exceeding his predecessors by close

on Meg, His expedition eucc.odnd iu showing that tho so-called ice barrier was 1 only tho edge of a vast plain of ice stretching inwards to the mountain ranges which ho 6aw, at no great distance a\vuy, when he readied his furthest south latitude. In other rospects tho expedition also added to tho nation's frtoxe of knowledge. THE PRESENT ENTERPRISE. AIMS OF THE PARTY. ; On the present, enterprise the Scott Expedition left Port Chalmers on Novetni.tr 2if. 1910. The ultimate dash for (lie l'olo was to have been mado by 10 men. Shackleton had only four; that is why Captain Scott expected to go tho full distance when tho other men did not. . Ho would havo far more supportir.it'(larlit-s sn that there would be no daugur of running short of supplies. ■ Twenty-four men were first to bo sent nshoro near MacMurdo Sound, and out of thoso tho 1G were to bo chosen. After that, the ship would travel east, and a small exploring" party of six would lie landed on King Edward Land, about 400 miles oast of MacMurd6 Sound, "Then," said Captain Scott, befors he left New Zealand, "she will return to MaoMurdo Sound to land me. Then fihe'll go up north as far as the Bolloniy Islands, and then west to explore tho north coast of Victoria Laud. The region between Capo North and Adele Land ia entirely unknown. And jt is most interesting, for one thing, because of the possibility of establishing meteorological stations, whose work will-throw fight on Australian climatic conditions. Next, when her coal runs short, she'll make for New Zealand.again. ■ "As-soon as our hut is up on MacMurdo Sound," he continued, "wo shall go south to lay out depots. We ought to be ashore early in January, and to start South about tho third week in January. Sledging and laying down depots will keen us at work until early in Anril. We shall winter at tho sound, and then start; 760 miles we shall havo to travel,. Wo shall bo divided into parties of four, and at given intervals ono party" of four will turn, back. Each time the fittest will b# picked to gn on, so that by a process of elimination wo ought at tiio end to get four people who will bo capable of getting to the Pole. "Yes, there'll be heartburnings. They'll all want to go on. But if I tell a man he has to go back, he'll go," • TERRA NOVA'S RETURN, 1912. '."I.AMiGoiNGYoRWARD." The Terra Noya arrived back at Akaroa on April 1, 1912, having left Captain Scott in Antarctica, By, this vessel came ; the latest story of tho doings of Scott's party -in the south. This related that tho last supporting party had left Soott , and his Polo'party 150 miles from tho , Pole. ' / 1 ' "I "am going forward," wrote Scott,' | "with a party of five men,, and am ' sending three back, under Lieutenant 1 Evans with this note. The names and . 1 , descriptions of the advance party aro; "Captain Scott, Royal Navy. ~ "Dr. Wilson, Chief of tho Scientist Staff.,, ;

"Captain Oates, Inniskillen Dragoon?, in charge of ponies rnd mulea , of expedition. ,- : "Lieutenant Bowers, Royal Indian Marino, Commissariat Officer. "Petty OEBcer Evans, lvoyal Navy, in charge of sledges and equipment. "The advanoo party goes forward with a month's provisions. The prospect of success seems good, pro-, viding tho weather holds and no un- , foreseen obstacles arise. . "It has been very difficult to choose ' the advance party,, as everyone is fit and able to go forward. Those who return aro naturally much disappointed. Everyone has worked his hardest. "The wßa!ther on the platoiu has been good on the,whole. Tho sun has nover deserted us, but tho tempera-.. tures are low (now about minus twenty degrees) and tho wind pretty constant. However, we aro excellently equipped for such conditions. Tlio wind undoubtedly improves tho eur- > face. So far all arrangements have! I worked out most satisfactorily. - "It is moro than probable that no further news will be received from 11s. this year, as our return must neeos- • earily bo late. "(Signed)" R.SCOTT."

The rest of the story concerned tho return of the supporting party, consisting of Lieutenant ' Evans, Mr. W. Lashley, and Petty-Officer Crcan, who had a terrible experience on the journey back to Discovery Hut, owing to Evans being attacked by scurvy. , .