WHAT SCOTT DID.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1875, 20 March 1913, Page 2

WHAT SCOTT DID.

A THRILLING STORY

IN SCOTT'S HANDWRITING

GIFT TO COMMONWEALTH

Prof**. Aasn—By Telegraph—Copyright Melbourne, Yesterday The Federal Government has decided to contribute £2OOO to the Scott fund. Commander Evans informed Hon. A. Fisher that it was the intention of the expedition to present the Commonwealth Government with a complete record of the expeditionary publication. Tlii* would include the history of the expedition which was largely written in Soott'H own words, folio chi.rts 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 he had no wish at present to break the silence, but since it had been reported that the public of Australia desired to know concerning the fortunes and vicissitudes of the explorers he felt impelled to say something which had not yet been published about the work of the expedition. The whole story, when unfolded, would prove to "be of thrilling and absorbing interest. It would be handed to the public about Christmas, very largely in Scott's own words. His diaries were very complete and it would be difficult to improve upon them, but there were many expeditions other than the one led by Scott, accounts of which would prove interesting. Commander Evans added that had Scott been spared to return he would have been delighted at the results of the various sledging expeditions. No doubt one of the main objects was to reach the Pole first to secure for the British nation the honour of so great an achievement, but Captain Amundsen's success in no way disconcerted the expedition. The specimens brought back by the Scott party would prove of priceless value to science. Had Scott and his companions not been so eager to preserve every record and specimen they might have reached One Ton Camp. Taking into consideration the climatic conditions it is very doubtful that had the specimens and records been placed in depots they would all have been recovered. In that case the value of Scott's journey would have been very much diminished. It was hard to say if Scott reached One Ton Camp whether he would have been able to return safely to the base. When winter set in the temperatures were appallingly low and sledge hauling dreadfully difficult. There was darkness for twelve hours daily, and he could hardly believe that any party which accomplished what Scott's did would have reached the base, 155 miles away. Questioned as to whether the members of the expedition desired to bring back the bodies, Commander Evans declared that he knew that the dependents of those who so gallantly gave their lives in the cause of so scientific research were unanimously of opinion that they should remain where they were found. There was never any question among the members of the expedition about this. Those who found the bodies were best judges as they had been the constant companions of the southern party. "None of us could conceive a better grave than the heart of the country where we had given our best efforts in the cause of all we so earnestly believed in," concluded the commander.