TRIBUTE TO SCOTT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1928, Page 7

TRIBUTE TO SCOTT

AN IAI PRESS! YE CEREMONY

CHRISTCHURCH, November 26.

Tribute was paid to tlie memory of Captain Robert Kalcon Scott and his companions, who died in tlie Antarctic wiien returning from the South Pole, by Commander Byrd yesterday afternoon in tlie presence of about a thousand residents of Christchurch. The desire to pay homage to the memory of Captain Scott was one of the chief purposes of the visit of Commander Byrd to Christchurch. At the foot of the statue in Oxford Terrace, the noted American explorer laid a wreath of laurel, on which were mounted three flags—those of the United States, Great Britain and Now Zealand.

On the wreath was the inscription

“ This wreath is a token of our respect If or the spirit of a gallant gentleman, whose fortitude is an inspiration to members of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. (Signed) R. E. Byrd, for the members of the Expedition.” When Commander Byrd arrived, there was a big crowd around the statue, on either side of which fluttered the Stars and Stripes and the New Zealand Ensign. A force of policemen kept a way open for the visitor. The Mayor (llie Rev. J. K. Archer), Mr 11. Holland, M.P., Mr J. J. Dougall, president of the Canterbury Branch of the Navy League, the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville) and the American Consular Agent (Mr IT. P. Bridge), accompanied Commander Byrd. In expressing the pleasure that it gave him to welcome Commander Byrd, the Mayor said that Commander Byrd and his companions were going on a great trip of exploration. As Commander Byrd was only staying in Chris!church for the day. he had oxpjvsso* I a wish that the visit should he a private one and that there should he no public festivities. However, Commander Byrd had expressed an earnest wish to visit, the Scott statue ami to lay a wreath at the foot of it. Alter the wreath had been deposited, it would stay there for a week or two until tin' citizens had seen it and then it would lie placed in the City Council ('hamhers.

The Mayor added that tiie citizens of Christchurch appreciated the lact that Commander Byrd had wished to show honour to the memory of that great Britisher, Captain Scott, who laid down bis iiifc for exploration. He hoped that Commander Byrd would have a successful visit to the South Pole and hoped that lie would make discoveries from scientific and other points of view that would lie oi great value to the world.

“ I come here to salute a hero of my boyhood,” said Commander Byrd. “ I cannot do justice to his memory, ior I have no gift for words, but my simple expression is sincere, for 1 have benefitted from tlie courage and the character off the man. It was the liiannoi in which lie met his end that caught liiv imagination. In failure he gained an immortal fame, in dying lie left to youth a heritage that success could not have given. And so ho showed that tilings of the mind and heart—the intangible spirit of the man—have a more enduring effect than the material results of his struggles. Me showed that the way a man plays the game can he more important than tlie winning ol the game. lie showed that in death a man could leave behind to those nearest and clearest to him, however devoted to them he may he, a memory more beneficial than his prolonged existence. lie showed, therefore, that some things can he more important, than life. Mas late in her cruelty unkind to him? Eor when he lost his superhuman struggle, when his hotly was gone, ho calmly and simply wrote the'words that will make his memory helpful lor all times. That is why we have come here as a pilgrimage to show our reverence by placing a wreath on Hie monument which von have erected to Hie memory of this gallant gentleman, Captain Robert Kalcon Scott, Royal Navy. Commander Byrd then took the wreath from Chief Yeoman Charles Lofuren, bis secretary, and laid it at the liaso of the statue. Then he, Lieutenant Ralph Shropshire, »'.d Chief Yeoman Lol'gren stood for some seconds at the salute. Then caps were removed, and all present: stood silently for a moment, marking the close ol the ceremony.