ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS.

Mataura Ensign, 19 March 1913, Page 5

ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS.

GIFT TO AUSTRALIA. THRILLING STORY PROMISED. 81 SLIOTHIO TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received March 19. 8.45 a.m. MELBOURNE, M'arch 19. Commander E. R. G. R. 'Evans, R.N., of the Terra Nova, has informed Hon. A. Fisher (Prime Minister) that it is the intention of the expedition to present the Commonwealth Government with a complete record of the expeditionary publications. This will include a history of the expedition largely written in Captain Scott's own words, folio charts which are now being constructed, a series of volumes containing the principal scientific results and copies of important photographs. If the financial position permits, duplicate copies will be presented to the principal universities and public libraries in Australia. Commander Evans stated that lie 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 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 story when unfolded would prove of thrilling and absorbing interest. It would be handed to the public about Christmas, 1 very largely in Captain Scott's own words. His diaries were very complete and it would be difficult to improve upon them, hut there were many expeditions other than the ono led bv Captain Scott, accounts of which would , prove interesting. j THE CAUSE OF SCIENCE. ! I WHAT MIGHT: HAVE BEEN. j Received March 19. 9.30 a.m. MELBOURNE. March If). Commander Evans added that had I Captain Scott been spared to return he would have been delighted at the results of the various sledging expeditions. No doubt one of his main objects was to reach the Pole first and secure for the British nation the honor of that great achievement, but Captain Amundsen's success in no way disconcerted the expedition. The specimens brought back by Captain Scott's party would prove of priceless value to rcience. Had Captain Scott's companions not been so eager to preserve every record and specimen they misxbt have reached One-Ton Camp. Taking into consideration the climatic conditions it was very doubtful had the specimens and records been placed at the depots that they would all have been recovered. In that case the value of Captain Scott's journey woifkl be very much diminished. It was hard to sav if Captain Scott's party had reached One Ton Camp whether they would have been able to return safely to the base. Winter set in with temperatures { appallingly low. Sledge-hauling was dreadfully difficult and the darkness lasted for 12 hours daily. He could hardly believe that any party which accomplished what. Captain Scott's did would have reached the base 155 miles away. A Glorious Crave. i Questioned whether the members of the expedition desired to bring back the bodies. Commander Evans declared that lie knew that the dependents of those who so gallantlv gave their lives in the cause of scientific research were unanimously of the o"i'iion that they should remain where they were found. There w;is never nny question among ( the members of the expedition about this. Those who found the bodies were the best judges, as they had been constant companions of the southern party. "None of us," he concluded, "could conceive a better grave than the heart of the country where we had given our best efforts in the cause we all so earnestly believed in." THE SCOTT FUND AUSTRALIA CONTRIBUTES £2OOO. Received March 19, 8.45 a.m. MELBOURNE, March 19. Tho Federal Government has decided I to contribute £2OOO to the Scott Fund. J