ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16193, 20 March 1913, Page 7

ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

THE DEPENDANTS’ FUND,

COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT’S PRESENT.

THE RECORDS OF. THE EXPEDI-

TION.

COMMTANDER EVANS’S NARRATIVE. United Press Association—By Eloctrio Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, March 19. Tlie Federal Government has decided to contribute £2OOO to the Scott fund. Commandor Evans ha 3 informed Mr Fisher that it is the intention of tho expedition to present to the Commonwealth Government a complete record of the expeditionary publications. This will include tho history of the expedition largely written in Captain Scott’s own words. Folio charts are now being constructed, and tho series of volumes will conrain the principal scientific results and copios of important photographs. If tho financial position permits duplicate copies will be presented to the principal universities and public libraries in Australia. Commandor Evans stated that he had no wish at present to break the silence, but since it had been reported to him that the public of Australia desired to know all that they could reasonably expect to know concerning the fortunes and vicissitudes of tho explorers, he felt impelled* to say something which had not yet been published about t(io work of tho expedition. Tho whole story*, when unfolded, would prove to bo of thrilling and absorbing interest. It would bo handed to tho public about Christmas, and was very largely m Captain Scott’s own words. His diaries were very complete and it would bo difficult to improve upon them, but thero were many expeditions other than tho ono led by Captain Scott, the accounts of which would prove interesting.

Commander Evans added that had Captain Scott been spared to return bo would have been delighted with tho results of tho various sledging expeditions. No doubt one of tho main objects was to reach the Polo first and secure to tho British nation tho honour of a great achievement; but Captain Amundsen’s success in no way disconcerted tho expedition. Tho specimens brought back by Captain Scott’s party would prove of priceless valuo to science. Had Captain Scott and hi 3 companions not been ‘so eager to proservo record and specimen, they might have reached Ono Ton camp. Taking into consideration tho climatic conditions, it was very doubtful, had tho specimens and records been placed in depots, that they would all hjivo been recovered. In that caso tho valuo of Captain Scott’s journey would have boon very much diminished. Tt was hard to say, if Captain Scott and his party had reached Ono Ton camp, whether they would have been ablo to return safely to the base. Winter had set in and tho temperatures were appallingly low, sledgo hauling was dreadfully aifficult, and there was darkness for twelve hours daily. Ono could hardly believo that any party which had accomplished what Captain Scott’s did would have reached a base 155 miles away. Questioned whether tho members of tho expedition desired to bring back the bodies, Commander Evans declared that ho knew that the dependants of those who so gallantly gave up their lives in tho cause of scientific research were unanimously of opinion that they should remain where they were found. There never was any question among tho members of the expedition about this. Those who found tho bodies were the best judges, as they had been tho constant companions of the southern party. No on© could conceive of a better grave than tho heart of tho country where they had given their best efforts in the cause all so earnestly believed in.