VASTNESS OF VALUE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 8

VASTNESS OF VALUE

SCOTT PARTY’S RECORDS INTERESTING SPECULATIONS BY PROFESSOR DAVID, B Y T^lctrapU—Press Assoclatiox —Copyright SYDNEY, February 18. Professor David, dealing with the results of the Scott expedition, says: “ Until the whole of tno records have boon jjublisiaed it would bo premature ' to attempt to estimate the vastncss of! their scientific value. Amongst the most interesting from both the scientific and economic standpoints are the meteorological observations, which show that there is probably a very definite plan of circulation governing the atmosphere around tfio pole—in other words, a definite hub to the meteorological wheel, from which all Antarctic storms radiate. Both Scott's and Amundsen's records show that at the pole scarcely any wind blows, and very little snow fails. The reason probably is that the polo is situated near the centre of a groat high-level circum-polar aerial, maelstrom, carrying high atmospheres along at a rapid rate from west to east, at the same time slanting gradually in a spiral manner towards the pole, and delivering the air straight downward on top of a high plateau near the pole itself, the air accumulating on the surface of ■ this plateau. From time to time vast air avalanches would produce blizzards. 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 the circulation of the atmosphere in the Southern’Hemisphere, and should prove of, untold value to the shipping and a variety of other interests where that safety of life and of business profits, were concerned.” Professor David also anticipates valuable results from geological and bio-; logical discoveries. The tests in con-, nection with coal should prove whether! the vast coal-field was of sufficient! economic value to bo worked and 1 Used. IF DIMITRI MADE A DASH rr WOULD HAVE MEANT DEATH. Professor David, reverting to the statement that if Dimitri had been allowed to make a final dash he might have saved some of the Scott party, declared that the public did not realise the conditions in Antarctica, Mr Garrard and Dimitri had been marching for a fortnight, and were exhausted. To have gone on wonld have meant death. Everything possible had been dona nnder the circumstances by all the members of the expedition. MESSAGE FROM KAISER THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT’S CONDOLENCES. LONDON, February 17. The Kaiser has sent a message to 1 King George expressing his profound* sympathies and sincere admiration for, the Antarctic heroes. Prince Lichnowsky, German Amhas-’. sador, has conveyed the German Gov-i ernment’s condolences to Sir Edward] Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday,, on the motion of the chairman, passed a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the ill-fated Antarctic explorers. BOYS’ INSTITUTE SYMPATHY. ' At a meeting of the Boys’ Institute executive the following resolution was passed: “ The committee of the Wellington Boys’- Institute record their deep regret at the tragic death of Captain Scott and his comrades at the Ant, arctic and their admiration of the heroic manner in which the whole party faithfully carried out their duty to the last. The committee also gratefully remember the last public appearance of Captain Scott, when he lectured on behalf of the institute—a further evidence of his kindly interest on behalf ftf others.”