ANTARCTIC TRAGEDY.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 19 February 1913, Page 3

ANTARCTIC TRAGEDY.

CAPTAIN SCOTT'S DIARY.

HIS LAST MESSAGE.

Captain Scott, in his diary, which ■was preserved, says :—" I do not think human beings ever came through •uch a month as we have come through and we should have got through in spite of the "weather but for tfie sickening of a second companion, Captain Oates, and a shortage of fuel, in our depots, for which I cannot account,; finally but for the storm which has fallen on us within 11 miles of this depot, at which we hoped to secure the final supplies Surely misfortune could scarcely have exceeded this last blow. We arrived withiD 11 miles miles of our old One Ton camp with fuel for one hot meal and food for two days. For four days we have been unable to leave the tent, and the gale is blowing about us. We are weak, and writing is difficult, but, for my own sake, I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can enduie hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great fortitude as ever in the past. We took risks ; we knew we took them. Things have come out againsi us, [and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do qur best to the last, But if we haye been willing to give our lives to tliis enterprise which is for the honour of our country, I appeal to our country*. men to see that those who depend on us are properly cared for. Had we lived I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance and courage of my companions that would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must teil the tale. But, surely, a great, rich country like ours will see that those who are de« pendent on us are properly < provided for."