TRUE BRITISH SPIRIT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 3 January 1928, Page 8

TRUE BRITISH SPIRIT.

—9 SOUTH POLAR VENTURES. REPLY TO CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN. LONDON, Dec. 23. Referring to the allegation of Captain Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian Polar explorer, that “the British race are bad losers,” Mr. H. G. Ponting, the well-known explorer, who was with Captain Scott’s 1910-13 South Polar expedition, contributes a striking letter to “The Times.” Mr. Ponting says Amundsen organised a North Pole expedition in 1910, but he changed his plans and went south. Captain. Scott, whose plans were known to the world, heard, of Amundsen’s change when at Capetown. He thought the Norwegians would make their base at Weddell Sea. Captain Scott’s, eastern party went to the Bay of Whales to establish a base, according to the published plans, and found the Norwegians, there. As the same base was impossible, Scott’s party departed. In spite of the nearness of the Norwegians, Captain Scott was too keen a scientist to jeopardise He was further delayed owing to the failure of his ponies and dogs. Captain Amundsen’s, expedition was not concerned with science, except as regards meteorological and gravity observations. Therefore the twelfth hour change could only be regarded as inspired bv a desire to deprive the British from crowning their long and valuable exploration in the South., in which they had been pioneers since Cook first crossed the Antarctic Circle. “Mav we not point with pride,” says' Mr. Ponting. “to the fact that when Scott .saw Amundsen’s tent at the South Pole, and saw his life’s ambition blasted, he wrote in his journal paring tribute to Amundsen?” The true British spirit, when fairly beaten, to clasp the hand of a successful rival, was never more chivalrously exemplified than in Scott’s . gallant lines -written amid, toe Antarctic’snows. Moreover. Captain Scott was . chiefly sympathetic with his comrades in their dlsapnointment. instead of lamenting the. death of his own hopes.