SCOTT EXPEDITION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 304, 19 October 1910, Page 5

SCOTT EXPEDITION.

Spirits for Sickness Only. , FITTEST TO SURVIVE IN DASH FOR POLE. By Telegraph.—l'ress Association.— Oo)iyi' : slU Received October IS, 9.5 p.m. Sydney, Last Night. Captain Scott, interviewed, stated that the expedition had easily enough food for three years supplies. The main portion would be pemmican and specially made biscuits. A large amount of biscuits had a large amount of proteid in them. They were taking a little alcohol in case of sickness. They were not rabid teetotallers, but would not take any on their dash for the Pole. The main object was to reach the Pole, but no opportunity of doing good scientific work would be neglected before. They had got together a staff of scientists of great experience and more numerous than on any previous expedition. Motor sledges, taking the result of years of Scott's experiments, had been brought as near perfection as possible. The stores include 1600 gallons petrol, Marconi had offered to put a wireless

plant on the Terra Nova, and with its aid, and everybody's shoulders to the wheel, they hoped to cover the last 111 miles, which Shackleton failed to traverse. Describing the Polar party he hoped, after landing at the depots, to make a start in October next year. The party would consist of sixteen specially chosen, hardest men who would have to travel at given intervals. Four would go back on each occasion and the fittest picked to go on until only four remained, who would make a final dash for the Pole. This process of elimination, it is hoped, will accomplish the object. There was no such thing in Polar work as certainty, but he was sure everyone was going to work in the right spirit, with the firm idea of getting to the Pole. Regarding finance, he thought the Commonwealth would double its subscription. The Lord Mayor, at a representative gathering, welcomed Captain Scott in the Town Hall. Professor David declared he was fully confident Captain Scott would fulfil his mission.

Captain Scott, replying, said: "Why not keep the whole of the land lying south' of Australia for the British race, and say we do not want other riationalities to write their names on the lands south of this country?" The meeting decided to approach Mr Hughes with a view to getting the Federal Government to double its giant to the expedition.