THE SOUTH POLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1017, 9 March 1912, Page 3

THE SOUTH POLE.

REPORTED SUCCESS OF CAPTAIN SCOTT.

CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN AT

ROBERT

Christchurch, March 7.

Mr J. J. Kinsey, representative in New Zealand for Captain Scott’s Antarctic Expedition, received late to-night the following private cable message from Sydney ; “The papers report that Captain Amundsen telegraphed privately from Hobart that Captain Scott had reached the South Pole.” This is the only communication Mr Kinsey has received. Sydney. March 7.

Captain Amundsen’s Antarctic Expedition in the Fram arrived this afternoon from the Far South, and was welcomed by a fleet of launches.

Permission to board the Fram was refused. Eater in the day Captain Amundsen landed and proceeded to the Norwegian consulate. He absolutely declined to give any information about the expedition to interviewers until he had received a reply to a cable message which he bad sent to Norway.

A private telegram received in Sydney reports that Captain Scott reached the South Pole. Professor David, who accompanied the Shackletou Expedition, on being interviewed, said the report was whal everyone was hoping to hear, and what seemed a very likely contingency. At the same time it was strange that no official confirmation had been made through Captain Scott’s Loudon agent, or to Mr Kinsey, his representative at Christchurch, Professor David, after comparing the time at which the news of Captain Scott’s alleged discovery of the South Pole was received and that of Captain Amundsen’s arrival at Hobart, said that if Hobart was the first telegraphic port l be Pram called at, it seemed impossible that the Scott report could have come from the Fram. It was, of course, possible that Captain Amundsen himself had reached the Pole. Christchurch, March 7. Captain Amundsen telegraphed to Sydney that Captain Scott had reached the South Pole. Hobart, March 8. Captain Amundsen is still reticent. He stated, however, that when he left Buenos Ayres for Antarctica he went straight south to the ice, where, on January 13th of last year, he met Captain Scott’s Terra Nova in the Bay of Whales, He made the base of his camp on the great ice barrier, in longitude 164 deg. west, latitude 78 deg. south, where he remained with nine men while the Fram returned to Buenos Ayres. Of the work ol the camp he resolutely refused to speak, and when the South Pole was mentioned by interviewers he became dumb. He declined even to say on what date he left the camp tor Hobart, though he remarked that they enjoyed good weather. Apparently Captain Amundsen did not return to the Fram on January :6th, when Captain Neilsen met the Japanese expedition, which reached the ice barrier. He said he did not see the Japanese, and knew nothing of their position or plans. Asked concerning his future plans, the captain said he intended to stay for a few days in Hobart, and then make for Buenos Ayres, thence around the Horn to San Francisco, up through Behrings Straits, trying to follow his original plan ol drifting across the Arctic with the ice, coming out between Greenland and Spitzbergen. Captain Amundsen was the only member of the expedition who landed in Hobart. Press representatives went out to visit the Fram, but were not allowed to board or to engage in conversation with the crew. Captain Amundsen regrets that he is unable to give any information, in view of the kindness he has received, but his engagements made it utterly impossible. As soon as he can he will show his charts, and give the fullest information. He took 103 Greenland sledges and dogs, and brought back only 39. Svunev, March 8. The Norwegian Consul has received uo information from Captain Amundsen—and expects none.

STATEMENT BY MR. KINSEY. TERRA NOVA NOT EXPECTED yet. Christchurch, March 7. Mr Kinsey, representative of Captain Scott’s expedition, says he does not expect the Terra Nova back in the immediate future. If conditions are favourable for the work, the vessel may carry out exploring and scientific work until the end of April. The original programme has probably been varied ; a great deal depended on Captain Scott’s success or otherwise in his Pole expedition. Mr Kinsey is therefore unable to indicate at all exactly the date of the expedition’s return, but thinks it unlikely that the Terra Nova will be back for some weeks yet.