SCOTT'S RECORD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1678, 19 February 1913, Page 7

SCOTT'S RECORD.

RICH, SCIENTIFIC STORE. SECRETS OF THE POLES. BIRTHPLACE OF STORMS. By Teleeraph—Press Association—Copjriehl • Sydney, February 18. Professor David, dealing with the- results of tho Scott expedition,, says:— "Until the whole of the records havo been published, it would be premature to attempt to estimate tho rastness of their scientific value. Amongst tho most interesting from both tho scientific and economic standpoints 'are tho meteorological observations, which show that thero is probably a very definite plan of circulation governing tho atmosphere round the Pole—in other words, a definite Jiub to tho meteorological wheel from which all Antarctic storms radiate. Both Scott's and Amundsen's records show that at tho Pole scarcely any wind blows, and very little snow falls. The reason probably is that the Pole is situated near tho centre of a great high-level circum-Polar aerial maelstrom, carrying high atmespheres along at a rapid rate from west to east, at the samo time slanting gradually in a spiral manner towards the Pole, and delivering the air straight downward on top of a high.plateau near tho Pole itself, tho air accumulating on tho surface of. fliis plateau. From time to time vast air avalanches would produce bb'zzards. These Antarctic disturbances are far-reaching, and,exercise considerable influence on the weather in Australia and New Zealand. When the whole of the observations, along with Dr. Mawson's, are worked out they will throw a flood of light on the whole theory of circulation of thoatmosphere in the Southern Hemisphere, and should prove of untold value to tho shipping and a variety of other interests where the safety of life and of business profits w.ero concerned: ';•■'■■' , Professor' David also anticipates valuable results from geological and biological discoveries. Tho tests in connection with coal 6hould prove whether the vast coalfield was of sufficient economic value to be worked and used'. NO HOPE OF RESCUE. ' V "EVERYTHING POSSIBLE HAD BEEN DONE.". Sydney, February 18. Professor David, reverting to the statement that if Dimitri had been allowed to make a final dash ho might have saved some of. the Scott party, declared that' the public did not realise the condition's in Antarctica.. Mr. Garrard and' Dimjtri had been; marching for a fortnight,'aud were exhausted. To have gono on would have meant death. i Everything' I 'possible had been done under , the circumstances by all tlic members of the expedition. MESSAGE FROM THE KAISER, v v ' GEEMANY'S.CONDOLENCES.. • ■'..". .■ V London, February 17. TII9 Kaiser ha 3 sant a message to King George expressing his profound sympathies and Gincero admiration for the Antarctio heroes. ■ ■'• . *. . Prince Lichnowsky,. German Ambassador, has conveyed the German Governments condolences to Sir Edward " Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

HOMEWARD BOUNP. ■ . TERRA 1 NOVA'S PROGRAMME. I (By Telosraph.—PreEf Xetoclation.) Christchurch, February 18. : The/members of the British Antarctic Expedition., arc at present',busily engaged in making preparations > for early departure -for ■'. England. Mr; .Francis Drake, secretary of tho expedition, will* l leave on Thursday by the Moeraki for Sydney, where-he will join the Otranto for Toulon and'London'. He will probably be accompanied by, Lieut. V, Campbell, R'.N.v •'■ : ■'

- Commander E. R. G. R. Evans, R/N., will'leave, for Wellington next Tuesday to meet Mrs. Scott, who will arrive in Wellington from San Francisco by, tho Abrangi on Thursday,'• February . 27. Lieut. W. M. Bruce, R.N.R., brother of Mrs, Scott,' will,also ■go north next Tuesday night to .meet'his'sister at Wellington. Mrs, Scott and Lieut. Bruco will go to Sydney to join the P.-and O.i'steaincr: Medina fof England. >". ' , Dr. Atkinson. Lieut. Gran, and Messrs. Wright, Priestly, Debenliani, and Cherry Garrard will also;travel;to England by mail steamers. : Commander Evans informed' a rebortor to-day tliat arrangements for the homeward passage of the Terra Nova'had practically been completed. The Vessel .lyill be dry-docked shortly for-refitting and cleaning .and .painting, and after taking iii coal supplies she will sail from Lyttelto'n for England" on March .15.. She will leave with about 500 tons, of coal 1 oil board, and will propced on a great circle track frc,m Lyttelton.to Magellan Straits, and will make a call at: Punta Arenas, iu the Straits, Thence she will go to Rio, de Janeiro for bunker-coals, and on to Cardiff. ~According to the programme mapped out the. Terra Nova will leave Punta Arenas On April 20, Rio do Janeiro on May 25; and sho is expected to arrivo at Cardiff, on, July 11. The above dates are approximate only, and if she is'ready in time -the Terra, Nova will sail from Lyttclton on an earlier date than March 15. ,-,Showill proceed under steam and sail, and, it'is possible that she will imSrove on tho dates' mentioned on her [omeward passage, if weather conditions are favourable;' Tho programme has been arranged on a. speed allowance of 120 miles per day, > and the time allowed for the passage is 89 days, Tho object is to getthe Terra Nova to England as.quickly as . possible, but, if opportunity , oilers,' soundings will be made and dredgings tor plankton and other forms of sea life will be takenon the passage Lieutenant H. L. L. Penrioll, R.N., (will bo in command of the. Terra Nova for. tho 'passago to, England, with' Lieutenant H. E. de.P. Renwick, R.N,', 6econd in command. Mr. A. Cliectham will aot as second mate, and Messrs. G. Nelson and D. G.Lillie. biologists to the expedition, will travel Homo in tho Terra Nova. Mr. M. Williams, R.N., will continue as chief engineer.' and Mr. W. Horten, R.N.,ns second engineer. All the Royal Navy men in the: crew and most of tho merchant service seamen at present on board will go to England in the Terra ,Nova. ■ TRIBUTES FROM NEW ZEALAND*. . A MESSAGE TO. THE WOMEN. ' The.Mayoress (Mrs. D. MTjaren) on Monday sent tho following, telegram to' Mr. J. J. Kinssy, agent for the Scott expeditionat Chmtehurch:— " . ' "On behalf of the women of Wellington I send an expression of our deepest symtiathy with tho women relatives who are left in sorrow. May the memory of tho bravery 'shown by their men bo a wonderful eolaie to them in this hour of sad bereavement." ' Mr. Kiusey replied aa. follows 1— I mil convey to tho women relatives of these noblo men the message of sympathy and comfort from vourselt and the women of Wellington. ifav. I personally be allowed to thank you, for I am sure your telegram will assist to support and comfort tho bereaved ones in their trouble." SCOTT'S INTEREST IN THE BOYS. The Wellington Boys' Institute has accorded it* tribute to tho memory, of the Polir heroes in the following terms:— "The 'committee of tlio Wellington Bovs' Institute record their dop regret at "the tragic death of Captain Scott and his comrades at the Antarctic, and their admiration of the heroic manner in which the whol6 party faithfully carried out their duly to the last.- The eommitteo alsb gratefully remembers the last public appearance of Captain Scott in Wellington, when ho lectured on behalf of tho institute—a further avid*nco of Ills kindly int«e4t oa behalf of otben.'!