ROYAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15233, 21 February 1913, Page 7

ROYAL CONTRIBUTIONS.

£30,000 ENQUIRED.

(Received February 20, 9.50 p.m.)

London, February 20.

King George has given £200 to the Mansion House Antarctic fund that is being raised in response to the appeal of the late Captain Scott. Queen Mary and 'Queen Alexandra have given £100 each. The Antarctic Expedition Committee's fund has been amalgamated with that of the Lord Mayor, the joint total being £20,000. Lord Curzon (President of the Royal Geographical Society) states that he has verified his calculation that £-30,000 will be required to meet the charges in connection with the expedition.

TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN SCOTT.

PROFESSOR DAVID'S EULOGIUM.

[ITBOM otro own coß3iEsroNßS3rc.]

Sydney, February 15.

The following beautiful tribute to Captain Scott and his brave comrades has been paid by Professor David: — contributions to meteorology, geology, magnetism, biology, and geography, made throughout Captain Scott's expedition," Professor David wrote, " will live for ever as a magnificent monument to the memory of a great leader, as beloved as he was brave, and a bright and shining light in the noble and ancient*service which he so adorned. He was a man who in those last dark hours fell not from bis simple Christian faith; but with no word of blame, bowed to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last.' Surely he will be best remembered, not so much by his contributions to science,great as they were, nor for his charm as a writer {and he was a writer of no mean order), nor even for his capacity as a leader of men (and he was amongst the greatest of leaders that Polar exploration has produced), but for the thrilling example set by himself and his comrades of devotion to duty and faith unto death."

IS, IT WORTH WHILE? ' SCIENTIST'S OPINION. . [FROM OVB OWN CORUESI'ONBEJTT.] Sydney, February 15. In connection with the death of Captain Scott and his party, the old question, which is always recurring when we are faced by such tragedies as this, ha 3 been asked, la it worth while ? Is the desire of the human race to know all -about these uttermost parts of. the earth worth gratifying, when it involves, as it has on this occasion, :■ the loss 'of so many and such valuable and heroic lives?", , This question has been discussed by Professor David, who-counted as personal friends, two of the great explorers whose bodies lie in the eternal snows of , the Antarctic Captain Scott himself and Dr. Wilson, chief of the scientific staff— Professor David does not hesitate to express the opinion that "the advancement of knowledge is not only worthy of our best efforts from day to day, but even worthy of the sacrifice of valuable human lives . . ".'.-. and one cannot but thank God that the British Empire can. claim the honour of owning men like Captain Scott, Dr. Wilson, and their brave comrades, and pray that she may never be without such heroic souls in her 'houss' of need." '\:/ .).