THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 171, 28 October 1910, Page 5

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

I HELP FOR CAPTAIN SCOTT. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Received 27, 9.20 p.m. Sydney, October 27. At the Lord Mayor's dinner to Captain Scott, Mr. Samuel Hordern notified that he had made a donation of £2500 to the expedition funds. He had asked that this be kept a secret until the Commonwealth Government had arrived at a decision regarding the request for a similar sum. THE TEKRA NOVA. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christehnreh, Last Night. The British Antarctic expedition ship Terra Nova is making her leisurely way up the coast, but up till late to-night she had not been sighted from Lyttclton Heads. The Ulimaroa and the Maori, which arrived this morning from Port Chalmers, both passed the Terra Nova during the nisrht. Thev reported a fairlv heavv head sea, which, while it could not hold them back, would no doubt delay the smaller vessel. Immediately the vessel is sighted from Lyttclton "Heads Ihe Harbor Board's tug Canterbury will go out to meet her, and she will he brought in at once to the wharf by the pilot. CAPTAIN SCOTT IN WELLINGTON. Wellington, Last Night. There was a large gathering at the civic reception to Captain Scott tli.s afternoon. Speeches of welcome and good wishes were delivered bv the Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford) and the Premier. Captain Scott, in replying feelingly referred to the kindness received from New Zealanders. Captain Scott delivered a lecture tonight, which was appreciated by a large audience. SKI-ING TO THE POLE. A FINAL DASH.

Among the passengers who arrived by the Maheno from Sydney (says the Auckland Herald) were two gentlemen connected with Captain Scott's expedition. These were Mr. Wy.att, who is to act as manager on behalf of the expedition in New Zealand, and Lieutentant Gran, of Norway, who is to accompany Captain Scott to the Antarctic, and is to give members of the expedition special instruction in the use of skis, or snowshoes. These are in general use in Norway and Sweden, and enable the user to get over snow at an exceedingly rapid rate.

Lieut. Gran, when interviewed by a reporter, said he would accompany the party, which it was proposed should establish a depot about 80 degrees.south, or four degrees from the Pole, and he would then return with the party to the main base at McMurdo Sound, where the 1911 winter would be spent, and he would there give instruction in the use of the skis. In the spring of 1911 the party of 10, under Captain Scott, would start out on the great journey for the Pole, operating from the depot established at S6 degrees south. It was, said Lieut. Gran, still problematical whether four or eight men would make the final dash. That all depended upon the condition of the men and other circumstances, and naturally he hoped to be among the selected few. Captain Scott proposed, when the dogs and ponies were dispensed with, to accomplish the final stage by the use of the skis. With the skis, explained Lieut. Gran, it was possible to do 15 miles an hour over rough country, and to cover 70 miles in a day of 12 hours was no unusual thing in Norway over bad country. "What you lose in going up a hill," lie said, "you make up in going down the other side. You go faster down hill than even the fastest express train." Lieut. Gran, further questioned, stated that advantage would be taken of Marconi's offer to fit the Terra Nova with wireless telegraphy when she returned to New Zealand in 1911. This would mean that when the vessel got back to the Antarctic and Captain Scott returned from his dash, the news could be at once despatched all over the world. This was subject to the proviso that a wireless station had been established in New Zealand by that time, or a vessel fitted with wireless was then within touch.