THE SCOTT EXPEDITION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 138, 20 September 1910, Page 7

THE SCOTT EXPEDITION

TERRA NOVA'S PLANS. THREE JOURNEYS TO ANTARCTIC REGIONS. Christchurch, Sept. 16. Questioned to-day regarding the work of the Antarctic expedition, Lieutenant Bruce said that practically the whole of the staff were on board the Terra Nova, due at Melbourne very shortly. According to arrangements made before he left England Lieutenant Bruce saw the Terra Nova would leave Lyttelton on November 15. It was possible she would call at Port Chalmers to take in coal promised by Sir James Mills, but on this point he was not certain. From New Zealand the ship would go direct to Mc'Murdo Sound, the journey taking, about sixteen days. The party would be landed there with huts, sledges, and I all necessary stores and equipment. Thence the Terra Nova, with Captain Scott oh board, would proceed eastward for 500 or 600 miles along the great ice barrier to a convenient place, where the second party of nine men, under Lieutenant Campbell, would be landed. The vessel would then go back to McMurdo Sound to land Captain Scott, and after that would return to Lyttelton some time during January. Coal and stores would be shipped at this port, and the Terra Nova would then set out on an exploring expedition in the Southern Ocean, making a thorough search for certain Islands the position of which was not exactly known. This would occupy about three months, at the end of which the ship would once more return to Lyttelton to be dry docked and thoroughly overhauled and re-litted.| After loading stores and coal the ship would again set out, probably in November, 1011, for McMurdo Sound. It was probable, said Mr. Bruce, that Captain Scott and party would at that | time be away on their journey to attempt to reach the South Pole. After landing stores, etc., the vessel would once more return to Lvttelton to get ready for the third and final journey to the Antarctic to bring back the members of the expedition. In view of the fact that the New Zealand Government is about to establish wireless telegraph stations at various points, including Bluff, a statement made , by Lieutenant Bruce is of particular interest. Although nothing definite had been decided when, he left England, he said, it was quite probable that the Terra Nova would ibe fitted with a wireless apparaturs before she started out from Lyttelton on her second voyage to the Antarctic. By that time wireless stations in New Zealand would be in working .order, and it would thus be possible for the vessel to maintain continuous communication with the Dominion. Lieutenant Bruce further mentioned that Mr. Day, who was in charge of the motor car used in the Shackleton expedition, was on his way to New Zealand in the Tongariro, and was bringing with him three motor sledges which had been specially designed and constructed for Captain Scott's expedition. The motor sledges had ibeen tested as far as possible in Norway. It was hoped that they would be of valuable assistance in the Antarctic, but too much faith was not being placed in them. The true test of their efficiency would be made in the Antarctic. Great hopes were placed in the dog teams. The thirty-one dogs brought from Siberia were the pick of I'lo4 seen by Mr. Meares. They were much heavier'and bigger than those used in the two previous expeditions, and they would doubtless be a very valuable adjunct to the work of the expedition. Two dog sledges had been brought to Lyttelton to be used in working the dogs while they were on Quail Island. The Terra Nova was bringing out 100 sledges ■for use in the Antarctic, and it was intended that the motor sledges and ponies should be used in towing these across the frozen expanses of the South.