A STATUE OF CAPTAIN SCOTT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1916, Page 8

A STATUE OF CAPTAIN SCOTT.

MB. BALFOUR'S TRIBUTE. Mr. Balfour, First Lord of the Admiralty, in November unveiled at Waterloo Place, London, a statue subscribed for by officers of the Navy, in memory of the late Captain Scott. The statue, which 13 of bronze and shows the explorer in his Arctic dress, is the work of Lady Scott. In a short address. Mr. Balfour said: It seems strange, perhaps, to us at this moment to have a ceremony in honor of a great sailor, whose performances, from the very nature of the case, were performances in time of peace, while we, at this moment, have but few thoughts for anything but the immediate necessities of war. Yet it is not a bad thing, even at a moment when the British Fleet is supporting the wbole of the Entente Powers in their efforts against Germany and Austria, that we should remember, when the fleet is showing us what it can do in time of war, how great also have been its performances in times of peace, A familiar quotation tells us that peace has her victories as well as war, and .the sailor whose great performances we hre here to commemorate was the hero of one of those peaceful victories which, nevertheless, resemble the victories of war more than most victories of peace, in that it involved danger, and an heroic death. What the Fleet lias done for the safety of these shores, for the greatness of this Empire, and for freedom throughout the world, is a commonplace among the English-speaking peoples. We sometimes are apt to forget how much it has done in the unwirlike and yet most dangerous work of exploration, travel, and of wrestling from nature secrets most jealously held. Between the place where I am'now spealcing, and the Admiralty only a few yards off, there are already two statues erected by a'grateful country to great explorers. The statue opposite where we arc standing is that of Franklin The statue nearer the Admiralty is that of Captain Cook. We are adding to those two another statue of one full worthy to be ranked with his compeers. Captain Scott showed all the great qualities of the British sailor, the British explorer, the British man of science. His set-vices to knowledge were great. He perished in. carrying out a,great work, and we do well to celebrate liis memory, and to place for perpetual record of his fame the statute which I am unveiling. He lias one great advantage over, so far as I know, every Vher man whose memory is commemorated by statues. In most eases the artist does not know him whom he commemorates, except by reputation, and he struggles with great difficulty to reproduce from such pictures as remain, or from the memory of friends and relatives a true likeness of him whom'he desires to commemorate. Captain Scott has had a happier and far rarer destiny, for his statue has been made by Lady Scott. It was not only loving hands, but an eye that knew and a memory that rejorded all that could be < seen and known to her. And we, who look upon it, and those who come after | us, when we have departed, will be able, to look upon Captain Sobtt and savj "Thus he appeared to those who knew him in life. So he was portrayed by one who was united with him living and has commemorated an immortal testimony of her affection after his death." This is a rare work of art; it has been made in memory of a man of rare courage and rare genius. Lady Scott was present at the ceremony.