THE SCOTT EXPEDITION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 23 May 1913, Page 5

THE SCOTT EXPEDITION.

COMMANDER EVANS IN LOUDON

A KRLLLUNT GATHERING

(i&mived Last Night. 11 o'clock.) LG-.w—., May 22.

Thar* was a buuiant assemblage to h:iar Commander Ji-vans, of the Antarctic Expedition. Those present included Prince Louis of Battenburg, Major-Oeneral BadenrPowell, LoTds Brassey, Chelmsford and Lamington, Lady Soott, the lion T. Mackenzie (High Commissioner for New Zealand), aiaval and military officers, and many prominent scientists. Commander Evans was accompanied on the pHatform by a survivor of the expedition—Mr Ponting. He exhibited a wonderful series of photographs of seal and penguim iife( and cinematograph films Ox sledging parties. Lord Ourzoni welcomed tho survivors as men who had not only darec an<-T suffered, but nad accompli shod that which entitled them to the gratitude of their countrymen and the admiration of the world. Bj said that when the result of Captain Scott's work was published, it would rank first in the contributions towards our Antarctic knowledge, and would be a real monument to Captain Scott and Ins men—greater than sculptured effigies or carved inscriptions. Commander Evans stated that Captain Scott's organisation was compbte. The equipment was splendid, so that the expedition remained selfoontamned, even after his death. He paid a tribute to the bravery of Bowvrs, Gharry, - arrad and Cream. When th.iy were adrift on a sea of ice near Hut point, Crean had gallantly jumped from lioe to floe, going to the assistance of Bowers. Garrad was afloat on the broken ice with the ponies for a whole day before he was rescued. Describing the Avork of the expedition in Dry Valley, Oommaiader Evans said they found a lake full of aegae. They washed the gravel for gold, but only found magnetite. He detail .'d the life oi the party in their winter quarters, and Wilson's journey ,'to Cape Crosier to observe the habits of the penguins. The party, lie said, almost perished in a gale. The tatrt blew away, and they slept in sleeping bags in the open for two days. Whaii the southern march began to Mearess, the supporting party travelled further south than his r<t , torn rations warranted. He and Denutri, on * iK><?-nrile, march, doprived" ffiemselveg at one meal daily in order not deplete the depots. WhenlS the turn of the last supporting party came to leave Captain Soott on his dash for. the Pole, tuey gave three cheers and watched the intrepid five disappear over the horizon. Commander Evans recount how he secretly advanced the hands of his watch in order to get ain extra hour's march on the homeward journey. He eulogised Crean amd Lashley for refusing to Laave him when attacked with sourvy. Both men have been recommended for the Albert ..^.edal.