ANTARCTICA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 310, 23 May 1913, Page 5

ANTARCTICA.

SCOTT'S EXPEDITION. By Cable—Press .Association —Copyright. Received 22, 5.5 p.m. London, May 22. There was a great audience at St. Albert Hall. Lord Curzon, presiding, said that Captain Scott's expedition would be remembered, not merely for tiie crowning tragedy, but for the splendid tale of achievement. Commander Evans warmly praised the gallantry of the supporting parties, especially Meare's. A wonderful exhibition of photographs and cinematograph films was shown. INTERESTING DETAILS. Received 22, 11.5 p.m. London, May 22. There was a brilliant assemblage to hear Lieutenant Evans's lecture. It included Prince of Battenburg, General Baden Powell, Lord Brassey, Lord Chelmsford, Lord Lamington, Lady Scott, Hon. T. Mackenize (New Zealand), rfaval and military officers, and many prominent scientists. Lieutenant Evans was accompanied to the platform by the survivors of the expedition. He ex-, hibited a wonderful series of photographs of seal and penguin life, and cinematograph films of the sledging parties.

Lord Curzon welcomed the survivors as men who not only and suffered, but accomplished that which entitled them to the gratitude of their countrymen and the admiration of the world. When the result of Captain Scott's work was published it would be in the first rank of contributions to our Antarctic knowledge, and be a real monument to Scott and his men, greater than sculptured effigies or carved inscriptions.

Lieutenant Evans stated that Scott's organisation was complete and his equipment splendid, so that the expedition remained self-contained even after his •death. He paid a tribute to the bravery of Petty-officer Bowers and to Seamen Cherry, Garrard and Crean. When adrift on the sea ice near Hutt Point, Crean gallantly jumped from floe to floe, going to the assistance of Bowers and Garrard, who were afloat on broken ice with the ponies a whole day before they were rescued. Describing the work of the expedition, he said that in a dry valley they found a lake, and washed the gravel for gold, but only found magnetite specimens. He detailed the life of the party in the winter quarters, and Wilson's journey to Cape Crosier to observe the habits of the penguins. The party almost perished in a gale. The tent blew away and thev slept in sleeping bags in the open for two days. When the southern march began, Meares and a supporting party travelled further south than his, return rations warranted. He and Demitri. on a 450-mile northwards march, deprived themselves of one meal daily in order not to deplete the depots. When the time of the last supporting party came to leave Scott on his dash for the Pole they gave three cheers and watched the intrepid five disappear over the horizon. . Lieutenant Evans recounted how he secretly advanced the hands of his watch in order to get an extra hour's march on the 'homeward journey. He eulogised Crean and Lashlev for refusing to leave him when attacked by scurvey. Both were recommended for the Albert Medal. Lieutenant Evans next detailed Scott's journey as revealed bv his diary. He came upon Amundsen's doS' tracks in latitude 88, and followed them to the Pole, which was located within half a mile of Amundsen's reckonings by dead reckonings. He described the fine work of both expeditions, and mentioned the fnct that Ladv Scott had remarked on the magnificent spirit of the party, not making an 'lneharitablp remark when they knew thev had been anticipated. On the return journey and after Seaman Evans's death. Scott must have realised b" the gradnallv shortened marches that th"re was little hone of reachin? tjie "inter ouarter=. In the Wer stages they rinlv did thvf> miles daily. Oatps was badly front-bitten, end constnntlv appealed for Wilson's advice. ''What could he d« " he inked, and Wilson replied that he* "could onlv slo? on. inst pi"" on." Oates died on his birthday. W!'f>on w«s nicknamed "The Peacemaker." Thanks to him they nowr had a quarrel or an angrv word. Bowers was the pet humorist of th" party. He was a. marvellous little fellow, whom Scot do«mbed as the hardiest man who ever undertook a polar journey. Spott himself was the heart and brain of the expedition.