PRACTICAL RESULTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9419, 15 February 1913, Page 5

PRACTICAL RESULTS.

WHAT THE SCOTT EXPEDITION ACCOMPLISHED. IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC WORK. ANTARCTIC ONCE HAD TEMPERATE CLIMATE. TRACES OF A VAST CONTINENT. ACTIVE VOLCANO IN THE ICE. COAL DEPOSITS OF NO COMMERCIAL VALUE. (Per Press Association.)

The ™ ,* H ? IST CHURCH, Feb. 15. he geological work done by the three parties of the Scott expedition (southern western and northern) is likely to prove of great value, especially as furnishing evidl nee relative to the former connection hereon Australasia and South America through he Antarctic Continent. Ihe collections and notes made bv the se\eral parties upon Beardmore glacier are far better than was to be expected under the conditions. This is the farthest south outcrop of rock on the route selected. here was no geologist in the southern party but in spite of this collections made with great judgment from a height of 8000 feet Fossil plants and coal were brought back, being collected from almost the same place as the coal discovered by Shackleton. The plant impressions are very well preserved in sandstones and shales, and probably belong to the late 1 alaeozoic or early Mesozoic times. Lower down the glacier another find of fossils was made, consisting of corals of primitive lorm, typical of the early Palaeozoic age. Numerous igneous rocks were also collected. These collections were chiefly made by Dr. Wilson and Lieut. Bowers, under adverse conditions. Their notes are necessarily not at present available, and until experts have had access to this material it is unwise to make definite inferences. In general terms it may be said there is proof of temperate conditions of climate having obtained in the Antarctic at two periods of time in past ages. ' The western party, imder Mr M. T. Griffiths-Taylor (geologist), made two journeys to the mainland of Victoria Land for purely scientific purposes. Geological and topographical surveys were made from Mount Discovery to Granite harbour, and material was gathered for a thorough description of Antarctic physiography. Ice i henoinena were especially observed, .and several measurements of the movements of glaciers made. In the case of the Mackay glacier this amounted to 80 feet for one month.

At Granite harbour coal was found in the beacon sandstone formation. It proved to be a semi-anthrocite of medium quality, and is probably of the same age as the coal from the Beardmore. It was practically inaccessible, and consequently of no economic value.

Associated with it were fossil impressions of stems and chaired wood, also plates, probably of a freshwater crustacean. New mountains up to 9000 ft were found and surveyed. Mr Priestley, the geologist of the northern party, spent the first year making extensive collection of rocks in the vicinity of Robertson Bay. Associated with the Cape Adare volcanic series there was found an erratic-bearing agglomerate, many of the boulders being striated by ice action. A somewhat similar deposit was also found amongst the rocks dredged from the Bay of Whales. During the second season the party made a journey along several glaciers between Mt. Nansen and Mt. Melbourne. and made a valuable collection of igneous and sedimentary rocks. Fossils in the shape of large wood steins were found and brought back. These again are probably referable to beacon sandstone formation, and similar in age to the fossils found by the other parties. They traversed and surveyed a large Piedmont glacier of the Barrier type, formed by the union of several glaciers, between Mts. Nansen and Melbourne, and held in place by a group of islands. With regard to the fossils found in the South, it is important to note that Mr D. G. Lillie, the biologist of the ship, in the past two years has made collections in New Zealand of fossil plants which may connect with the Antarctic specimens. THE ANTARCTIC VOLCANO.

In December, 1912, a party of six, under rriestley, made an ascent of Erebus for geological purposes. Good weather but low temperatures prevailed, it bein<r 30 .>elow zero at the summit. A different route to that of Professor David was followed, and the old crater visited, the altitude cf the lip being 10.000 feet. Sledges were hauled to a height of 9500 feet before packing became necessary. A detailed survey of the whole mountain except the south side, was made at a height of 10,0GGft. Two of the party were overcome Ivy mountain sickness, and were left to continue the survey of the old mountain crater. The other party reached the summit, and built a stone cairn as a record. A strong wind prevented the hypsometer being used for finding the altitude.

One of the party (Gran), in ascending the final slope after the others had left, was caught in the fumes of a mild eruption, and was partially suffocated, but managed to get clear by himself. A detailed geological survey of Ross Island from Cape Armitage to' Cape Rovds has been made, and affords evidence of the greater age of the volcanic deposits than was formerly supposed. Observations throughout the year were made on the physical conditions of the ice in all its forms by Mr C. S. Wright (chemist). He was also responsible for all the meteorological observations, magnet measurements and study of atmospheric electricity. His time was much occupied with pendulum observations for gravity. The general hydrographic work "was carried out by Mr E. W. Nelson (biologist), who also built another igloo for plantation collections. Owing to hick of sea ice his work this direction was necessarily limited. His first igloo on the sea ice went to sea with some of his gear. Mr A. Cherry-Garrand (assistant zoologist) took over the preparation of all ■>kins from and penguins A new lini l of soundings for scientific purposes was run from Banks Peninsula (Canterbury) to lat. 60 s„ long 170 w„ and thence south to lat. 73 s. A shoal of 158 fathoms depth was found in the middle of Ross Sea, within a short distance of soundings of 200 C fathoms. Extensive marine biological collections were made by Mr 1). G. Lillie (biologist). It is worthy ot note that the polar party's meteorological observations were continued o March 12th, when the thermometer was broken.

CRUEL RUMOURS. INDIGNANTLY REPUDIATED. CHRISTGHURCH, Fob. 14. Many rumours are in circulation regarding various phases of Captain Scott's expedition. A reporter to-night drew the attention of Commander Evans to several statements that are being made, and sought to receive an official reply. "One cannot give a defohce where no defence is needed," said Commander •''Vans, "and I am not going to be brought into a controversy on a series of rumours which have originated from irresponsible parties." One rumour was that Petty Officer Edgar Evans had not met his death as described in the official message, but had suffered from brain trouble, which became so serious that he had to be hauled a considerable distance on a sledge, an undertaking which greatly delayed the party. Commander Evans characterised this statement as "cruel, scandalous and foundationless." He went on to say that Petty Officer Evans behaved exceptionally well under the very trying circumstances. "I know he did his best, and he was certainly never insane," declared Commander Evans. "Illness he could not prevent, and it was brought about by privations and hardships of which no man could be ashamed." Rumour also hinted that there was dia-

sension in the ranks of the members of the expedition, but Commander Evans said that this rumour was absolutely without foundation. "I give permission to any P'essman lo go and converse with any of the men on the Terra Nova, and see if they can hear a whisper of dissension," he continued. "It is a silly, unfounded rumour which is not worth contradicting." The reporter drew Commander Evans' attention to the cablegrams irf which Professor David hiid strongly denied the statements of the London Times that there was dissension in the party ComiiMinder Evans laughed, and then said: "The Professor seems to have hit the right nail on the head when dealing with the London Times. I will not be drawn into a discussion on this matter," concluded the Commander. Later in the interview, Commander Evans said that against the advice of his doctor he had gone back to the Antarctic to see his leader through, and he did not think this looked like dissension. Commander Evans stated emphatically that the depots were, not touched by the supporting parties. There was, ,)io admitted, evaporation of the oil, but this was due to the leather washers in the tins. "NO PERMANENT SEPULCHRE." In connection with the burial of the bodies of the dead explorers in the Antarctic, it has been pointed out that they have no permanent sepulchre. They are on the Barrier, a huge glacier which, however, slowly, is moving down to the sea and is broken into icebergs little by little. If an attempt is made to bring the bodies back —and there are manv who hold that they should l>o

brought back —it would have to be made in summer. In the Antarctic the snowfall is continuous, and soon levels up the surface. A cairn marks the spot where captain Scott. Dr. Wilson, and Lieut Bowers sleep, but then by now Cauptain Oates' and Seaman Evans' graves may have become indistinguishable on the ice plane, and would be hard to find, even if their positions were accur ately charted. No trace was found of Oates by the relief party, and Evans, who was farthest south, was beyond their reach. It is possible, however, that an expedition may be sent South to recover the remains. IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL SERVICES. ST. PAUL'S CROWDED. (Br Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Per Press Association.) Received Februarv 15. 9.25 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 14. St. Paul's Cathedral was crowded two hours before the memorial service. The King drove up unescorted and uniformed as an admiral. The Premier (Mr Asquith) and Colonel Seely (War Minister) represented the Cabinet, and leading memb?rs of the Opposition were also present, besides th<> Lord Mayor, relatives of the dead explorer*, and representatives of iciirnc.l societies. Captain Collins (secretary to the High Commissioner) represented Sir George Reid. The service started with the singing of "Rock of Ages.'' and the height of solemn its was reached when the Dead March in "Saul'" was played by the band. The in troduction of the names of the five explorers into the collect. "We humbly leave in Thy Fatherly keeping." made a deep impression. The service closed by the congregation singing "Jesu Lover of My Soul." Beethovan's funeral march was also played. Crowded services were held at Devonport dockyard and Portsmouth. READ IN THE SCHOOLS. Received Februarv 15. 10.40 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 14., Tho story of Captain Scott's journey to the Pole was read in the schools throughout the country, and was prefaced by the singing of "Rock of Ages "