OFFICERS OF QUEST.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 6 January 1923, Page 4

OFFICERS OF QUEST.

WELCOME IN LONDON. I DINNER BY ECCENTRIC CLUB. LONDON, Dec. IV. The Eccentric Ciuo accorued tne hrst puoue •"welcome home" to Commander j?'. Wild and the oihcers of the Quest, and Sir C. F. Highain, M.P., who presided at the very cneerful dinner last nignt, had some comments to make on scientific societies and their ways. Besides Commander Wild, the guests included: Mr J. A. Cook, Mr. J. Quiller liowett, Dr. J. A. Mcllroy, Dr. Macklin, Troop-leader Marr, Captain JL. Hussey, Captain G. H. Wilkins, Captain Tkuiglas, Captain F. A. Worsley. Lieutenant-Commander Jeffrey was unavoidably detained at Portsmouth. For many years the eccentric Club has maintained a reputation for a keen appreciation of the good things of life. lt is an amalgamation of certain old Bohemian associations, and in earlie? days, when civic life was less strenuous, its members were famed for good cheer and an absolute disregard for the time of day or night. A symbol of "those days is seen in a clock which is suspended from a sea bird's beak perched on the back of the chairman's throne. There are tAvo hours only indicated — 12 and 4. xnese it was considered : enough for all reasonable requirements of members. The spirit of the club I persists, though the more startling signs of Bohemianism have <-*sappeared with the coming of a more sober age. Those who looked for a thrilling story ■ from Commander Wild were disap- | pointed. His reply to the toast was merely formal. The company drank a silent toast to the memory of Sir Ernest Shackleton. In proposing the health of Comi mander Wild and his c-rave comI panions, Sir Charles Higham said he j could only come to the conclusion that i men went to the Antarctic for scientific research. It was a sad commentary, he said, on our times when no scientific society in Great Britain welcomed home those who had risked their lives for science. One would have thought that the death of Sir Ernest Shackleton on this expedition, sacrificing his life in the cause of scientific research, would have prompted a proper recognition of Commander Wild and the crew of the Quest. Commander Wild, in responding, concluded by asking ''his boys," led by Captain Worslev, to give "them the Quest "tally-ho."" Mr. J. Quider Rowett was also the object of a hearty toast. In responding he said that Commander Wild had the unique distinction in the world of having been to the Antarctic five times. Under his command the Quest had been further south than any other ship, and when the story of the expedition came to be told it would be known that it was one of the finest in the annats of exploration. Private enternrise alone made this journey of •30,000 miles of hardship possible.