CAPTAIN SCOTTS' STORY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1703, 20 March 1913, Page 5

CAPTAIN SCOTTS' STORY.

A COMPUTE RECORD. STATEMENT BY COMMANDER EVANS. POLE PARTY'S GREAT WORK,. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Molbourne, March 18. Commander Evans, of the Terra Nova, lin9 informed tho Prime Minister, Mr Fisher, that it was the intention of t; expedition, to present to the Commonwealth Government a complete recorf of the expeditionary publications. This 'will include the history of tho expedition, largely written in Captain Scott's own words, and folio charts. Commander Evans said he was now constructing a series of volumes containing tho principal scientific results. Copies of important photographs, if the financial position permits, and duplicate copies would bo presented to tho principal universities and public libraries in Austra-

Commander Evans stated that he had no wish at present to break tho silence; but since it had been reported that tho aim of the public of Australia was a desire to know all it could reasonably expect to know concerning the fortunes and vicissitudes of the explorers, lie felt impelled 'to say something which had not yet been published about the work of the expedition. The whole etory when unfolded would prove of thrilling and absorbing interest. It would be handed to tho public about Christmas time, and would be very largely in Captain Scofcfs own words. His diaries 'aTe very complete, and it would be difficult to improvo upon them; but there were many expeditions other than, the one led by Captain Scott, the accounts of which would prove interesting. i

Commander Evans, continuing, said that had Captain Scott been spared to return he would have been delighted at the results of tho various sledging expeditions. No doubt one of the main objects was to reach tho Pole first, and secure for the British nation the honour of the great achievement, but Captain. Amundsen's success in no way disconcerted . the expeditior.. Tho specimens brought back by Captain Scotfs party would prove of priceless.valuo to science. Had Captain. Scott and his companions not been so eager to preserve every record and specimen they might havo reached One Ton Camp. Taking into consideration the climatic conditions, it was very doubtful had itlio specimens and records been placed in depots that they would all havo been recovered. 11l that caso the value of Captain Scott's journey would have been very much diminished. It was liard to say if Captain Scott liad reached One Ton Camp whether he would havo been ablo to return safely to the base. ' Winter had set in, arid .the temperatures wero appallingly low. Sledge-haul-ing : would havo been dreadfully difficult, and there would bo darkness for twelve hours daily. He could hardly believe that any party which had accomplished what Captain ScAtt did would havo readied tho base; 155 nliles away. Ho questioned , whether the members of tho expedition desired to bring back tho bodies. Commander Evans declared"l know■■ tho dependents of thoso who so gallantly gavo their lives to tho cause of scientifio research were unanimously of fho opinion that they should remain where they wero found. Tliero was never any question among tho members of the expedition about this. Those wlio found the bodies wero the best judges, as they, had been the constant companions of tlie Southern party. Nono of us could conceive a better grave than tho lieart of the country where wo had given our best efforts in the cause all so earnestly believed in." 1 • . COMMONWEALTH VOTE. Melbourne, March 18. The Federal Government has decided to contribute .£2OOO to tho Scott fund.