ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 195, 26 November 1910, Page 4

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

CAPTAIN SCOTT'S FAREWELL LETTER. By Association. Christchurch, Last Night. Since his arrival in Christchurch, Captain Scott has been the recipient of almost countless messages of goodwill, and many generous oilers of support. A» the task of supervising the preparations has made many demands upon his time, he lias not been able to acknowledge personally more than a small proportion, and, being desirous of in some way acknowledging the kindness shown to himself and all the members of the expedition, Captain Scott has handed the following letter to the Press for publication:—"On my departure to the Antarctic, I wish to express my appreciation of the treatment which this expedition has received from the people of New Zealand. The grant of £ 1000, which has been made by the Government, cannot but be considered a most liberal contribution, having regard to the population of the country; and it is more esteemed since it was promised by Sir Joseph Ward at an early date, when the enterprise was in its most serious need of support. Following this noble lead and since its arrival in New Zealand, the expedition has been the recipient of a. continuous stream of gifts in kind, and even m money. So numerous are these contributions that I have been unable to express iny gratitude to the individual donors, though I have endeavored to return thanks through those tr ent i e . men m various districts who have generously given their services L" organising the supplies offered, in accordance with our requirements. In the absence of direct thanks, I trust that the givers will believe that I fully realise the help which they have given us. .Finally, I would record my gratitude for the extraordinary consideration which has been given to the wish which I expressed on arrival that the work of preparation at Lyttelton should be as free from interruption as possible. No complaint-has in >te of the very meagre opportunities to inspect the Terra Nova and her equipment which have been offered to the public. ,This forbearance indicates that the importance of our preparations has been generally understood, and it is satisfactory to record that it has helped us to complete them with a thoroughness which I believe has rarely if ever been equalled. Thanks to the splendid enthusiasm of my comrades, and the capacity which they have al-w?t?-V h iT' * Sha " leave New with high hopes of accomplishing the objects of the expedition; but whatever measure of success may reward our effort we shall not forget the encouragement which we have received from all parts of this Dominion."