THE SOUTH POLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 8

THE SOUTH POLE.

CAPT. SCOTT'S EXPEDITION THE PARTY'S ADVENTUBES A GRAPHIC NAEIIATIVE. SOME EXCITING EXPERIENCES.

LIEET. EVANS'S ILLNESS. AKAROA, April 2. Continuing the narrative of the doings of his party in the Antarctic, Captain Scott, writing from M'Mtirdo Sound on October 20, says : A motor pledge party consisting of Lieutenant Evans, Day, Lasley, and Hoopor. started five days £.go, with two mo:or 6'edges, dragging fuel and forage. The motors experienced an unexpected difficulty' on the ice, which was very thinly covered with snow, but they were last seen going well on the surface of the Barrier, beyond the base of the camp of last season. They hav>? therefore already placed the possibilities of motor traction beyond question THE PONY PARTY, consisting of myself, Wilson, Oates, Bowers, Cherry. Garrard, Atkinson, Wright. Evans, Crean. and Keohano, will start about November 1 independently of success. The motors and ponies will be worked with light • loads and by means of easy inarches to Corner Camp, with full loads and easy marches to One Ton Camp, with such pressure, as may be found necessary thereafter. The dog teams, starting lator, will rejoin at One Ton Camp, and help to advance the loads. By these means wo hope to get 30 units of food to the foot of Beardmore Glacier, a unit being a week's provisions for four men. Then, with three divisions- of four men and 21 tinits of provisions, I hope to extend the advance to the required distance, if the weather conditions are not wholly unfavourable. Of the 10 remaining ponies, one is unreliable and one doubtful. The remainder are in very fine form. The officers and men are in splendid health, and eager to go forward. Owing to my decision to postpone the date of departure, there is an obvious chance that the most advanced southern party will be unable* to catch the Term Nova before she is forced to quit tho sound. Under these conditions, and having regard to the important scientific work to lw> done, and tho facilities offered for further work, I have decided to maintain a station FOR A SECOND YEAR, Tile majority of the shore party will probably remain, but the details will depend on the dates of returning from the journeys, on tho Home news, and the extent of the fresh transport provided. We have lived in the happiest social accord. Mr Ponting will probably return with a large mass of photograph io material, whereto the second year might add little of importance. Owing to Mr Ponting tho photographic results of the expedition are most remarkable. A • large series of cinematographic films givo a comprehensive record of our polar life. The plans arranged for the scientific work of the expedition have been carried out so far almost in their entirety. November 24 (let. 81.15). We left Hut Point on the evening of November 2, having decided to march by night and rest during the day, in order to give the ponies the benefit of the warmer day temperatures. Wo reached Corner (.'amp on tho morning of the 6th. For 60 miles we followed the traeks of the motors, and we then found the machines abandoned The party had proceeded onward, as directed. They were DELAYED BY A BLIZZARD on the Bth, but reached One Ton Camp on the morning of tho 16th. The dog teams had. caught up some days earlier. The whole party then proceeded in company. A day's rout, was given to the animals at One Ton Camp, which we left on the evenof tho 17th. Having regard to the weight of the loads, the heavy surfaces, and the limited number of animals, I decided to march 15 miles only eyery night This c'istance has been maintained for eight nights, and \ far as we can foresee it should be Csonuntied- The ponies are going very steadily, and urn keeping their condition remarkably well. The first pony was now shot for ihe sake- of evpediency, but it could have travelled further. The animals have 1 01 b of oatg and 31b of oil cake daily. We :-/o hopeful of getting the men's food supply to the glacier, according to programme. wthoitt difficulty, but shall he a dav or two later than anticipated. Wo found the motor party waiting in latitude Two of their number now leave us. Tbjp sole cause of tho ABANDONMENT OF THE MOTORS was owing to the overheating of the aircooled engines. Time did not permit of those defects being f aken in hand. The system of propulsion by motors has proved entirely satisfactory. The machines dragged their heavy loads over tho worst part of :he Barrier's surface, and crossed several crevasses. Considering the inadequate i rials, their success lias been remarkable. With the experience now gained, reliable traction could be constructed which could travel anywhere in this region. To save the sacrifice of the animals we are buildingsnow cairns at intervals of four miles to guide the homeward panic-, leaving a. week's provisions at every degree of latitude. The Barrier's top surface was extremely baitl and dying to thy ponies up to One Ton Cam]), but has been comparatively good since. The greater number of the ponies have been dragging over 6601 b. Dkcembeb 10 (Lat. 63.37). After the return of the motor party in latitude 81.15 we pushed steadily south, being hopeful of better weatj ?r conditions. The second pony was destroyed in latitude 62.10, the third "in latitude 82.45, and two

more near tho 83rd parallel. None of these animals were exhausted, but were sacrificed as food sf'K the dogs on account of the Jigriteni.rtf <Cads. As we approached the land the WEATHER GREW WORSE, snowstorms being frequent and the sky continually overcast. The land was very rarely visible. Under these circumstances it was most difficult to keep a straight course and to maintain steady marches. The poniej continued to null splendidly. The excellent condition which they retained under the severe work 1 attribute entirely to the management of Captain Oates. Despite delays, we reached latitude 85.24, within 12 miles of Mount Hope, and could have reached the glacier with five ponies on the following day but for the intervention of a SOUTHERLY GALE, which lasted four days, during which wo did not sight the land, although it was only a few miles away. The wind was very violent at times. A prodigious amount of snow fell, and wo had to continually dig out the ponies. In the tents the temperature rose to plus 35deg. The snow, melting on our equipment, completely soaked everything with water. No such prolonged storm has Hitherto been recorded in these regions. On December 9, after the storm, 18m of wet snow covered tho originally soft surface, and we could not have advanced at all had not the leading pony worn snowshoes. The men hauled on ski. It took 14 hours without a meal to do eight miles At the first half the PONIES WERE DESTROYED, as we had no more forage for them. Today we have come through the Pass and descended on Beardmore Glacier, but it was accomplished only with infinite difficulty after 12 hours' work. The soft snow brought, by the storm continued over the Pass, and the men on foot had sunk in it up to their knees, the sledges sinking up to their crossbars continually. The dogs have given some help, but they could only be hght.lv laden on such a surface. I send this note by the returning team's party, who are very fit. But we cannot keep up the hours which we have been working. The storm has already oost us five days, and its effects may yet delay us further, which i 8 a serious matter. Otherwise everything has worked as planned. We hope to find better conditions a 6 we advance up tho glacier. We are necessarily dependent on the weather, and the season so far has been very unpromising. December 21 (lat. 85.7 S., long. 163.4 E.). Our height is about 6800 ft, and we are four miles S., 30 miles W., of Mount Darwin. Largely as the result of the storm reported in my last despatch, the lower reaches of the glacier were filled with TERRIBLY SOFT SNOW. The men on foot sank to the knee at each step. It would have been quite impossible to advance had we not pulled on the ski. As it was, the runner surface of the sledges proved inadequate. They frequently sank up to the crossbars, requiring to be extricated with standing pulls. For four days we struggled on this morass, scarcely advancing five miles a day, although working 10 to 11 hours daily. It was difficult to pitch a camp and load the sledges on such a surface. On the fifth day the surface grew a little harder, and wo were able to push on. still pulling on the ski. We were not abreast of Cloudmaker Mountain till the 17th, so that the storm cost us a week's advance. Since the 16th we have been able to make very good marches, working up from 13 to 23 statute miles per day. By my programme I had arranged to push on from the 85th parallel with eight men and 12 units of provisions, but I hoped to reserve a margin over this. As wo stand, however, we are only half a days' food short on the programme, and should have a GOOD CHANCE OF GETTING THROUGH. But if tho weather continues unsatisfactory we shall have to march without sight of tho land on occasions. We are getting intermittent fog in this most crevassed part of the glacier, but everybody i 6 in the best of health and in high 6pirits. It has been most difficult to select tho returning party of four who carry this note. This position constitutes our Upper Glacier depot. Complete depots have been established on the homeward route track on the Barrier, which is well marked with snow cairns. The members who go forward are Captain Scott, Lieutenant Evans, Dr Wilson, Lieutenant Rowers, Captain Oates, Lashley, Petty-officer Evans, and Crean. January 3, 1912 (lat, 87.32). Our present height is about 9800 ft. After leaving the Upper Glacier depot south of Mount Darwin I steered S.VV. for two days. This did not keep us clear of the pressure of tho ridges and crevasses, which occurred frequently, and at first gave some trouble, but we rose rapidly in altitude. Probably the difficult places were 'more snow-covered than farther eastward. The advantage of this course was mainly felt on the third and fourth days, when owing to our altitude, we got » splendid view of the distribution of the land masses fringing tho ice sheet, ami the arrangement of tho ice falls, Shico leaving the depot our inarches have averaged over 15 statute miles per day. OX CHRISTMAS DAY wo were close up to the 86:h parallel. The prospect of Christmas fare gave us an excellent march of 17 miles, but the effect was not so happy on the following day, when the surface grew moro difficult as we approached tho 87th parallel. On Now Year's Eve, in latitude 86.56, we deposited two units of provisions, and rebuilt our sledges with new short runners, which was a remarkable piece of work, performed by the teamen of tho party under most adverse conditions. Although it cost us nearly a day's march, the change amply repaid us. Wo have been able to keep up our avpiige. and we are now within 150 miles from the Pole. I am going forward wit!: a party of five men, and am sending three back under Lieutenant Evans with this note The name> ami descriptions of the advance party a ■ ■ Cantain Se: I . Royal Navy. Dr" Wilson. <■ :ief of the scientific staff. Captain Oat:> (Inniskilling Dragoons), in charge of tlie |) 'nies and mules. Lieutenam Howers (Royal Indian Marines), commissariat officer. Petty Officer Evans (Royal Navy), in charge" of the sledges and equipment. The advance party goes forward with a month's provisions. Our

PROSPECT OF SUCCESS seems good, provided ffchat tho weather holds and no unforeseen obstacles arise. It has been very difficult to choose the advance party, as everyone was fit and ablo to go forward. Those who return are naturally much disappointed. Everyone has worked his hardest. The weather on tho plateau has been good oh the whole. The sun has never deserted us, but the temperatures are low (now about minus and the wind pretty constant. However, we are excellently equipped for Such conditions. The wind undoubtedly Improves the surface. So far all our arrangements have worked out most satisfactorily. It is more than probable that no further news will be received from us this year, as our return must necessarily be late. (Signed) R, Scott. Tho second section of Captain Scott's story begins with brief accounts of the journeys of the first two parties, who were detached from the southern party as they advanced. Day and Hooper, who left tho southern party on November 4, arrived safely at Cape Evans on December 21 last. Atkinson, Wright, Cherry, Garrard, and Keohane, who left the southern party at tho Upper Glacier depot on December 21, reached Oape Evans on January 28. On tfheir way down the Beardmore Glacier they spent Christmas Day visiting the moraine near Cloudmaker Mountain, and collected some geological specimens. A depot party left Cape Evans on December 26. i.nd placed three special rations at One Ton depot for the returning parties. While returning opportunity was taken by Dav to repair a motor sledge which left' the Barrier near Safety Camp last spring, the necessary parts having been brought out on the outward journey. It is now in working order, and it is intended (if possible) to bring this motor sledge back to the ship next year. The last supporting party had AN EXCITING TIME. Its report states that during the forenoon of January 4 a party consisting of Lieutenants Evans, Lashley, and Crean inarched three miles south with Scott's advance party, then, bidding their leader and his comrades farewelh they turned northward .in latitude 87.35, and commenced their homeward march. The southern party was travelling rapidly yet easily, and the members appeared to be exceptionally fit. The last returning party retraced its "steps, confident that Captain Scott would reach the South Pole It covered over 18 miles per day "until January 9, when a blizzard of moderate severity blew from the south. It lasted three days, and severely hampered the party. Accordingly, to ensure full rations for the early part of the homeward march, a course was shaped direct for the depot near Mount Darwin. This lay across Shaeklcton's ice falls at the head of tho Beardmore Glacier, but it saved at least a da\ s inarch. They descended many hundred feet, mostly riding in the sledge, with little difficulty beyond frequent capsizes. Ihoy arrived undamaged on a comparatively flat surface at the foot of tho falls on January 17. Nearly halfway down the glacier this little PARTY WAS EMBARRASSED by getting into a maize of ico falls and a pressure of ridges and crevasses duriii"thick weather. They extricated themselves from this precarious position on the 18th after two very hard days of climbing and tobogganing, being bruised and their sledge considerably damaged. The next 300 miles of tho journey was uneventful. At latitude 80 30 Lieutenant Evans was found to bo suffering from scurvy. Owing to the party being one man short, (tho fourth member of the unit having been taken to support the southern party), Lieutenant Evans was compelled to continue dragging the sledge. Lashlev and Crean did all in their j)OAver to help their tent mate forward. His condition, however, became serious, and at Ono Ton Camp, '136 miles from Discovery Hut. ho was unable to stand without support on his ski sticks. His legs were very much swollen and discoloured, and there were other symptoms of ADVANCED SCURVY in evidence. After struggling onward on his ski in great pain for four days, during which they covered 53 miles, Lieutenant Evans v.as unable to move further. His companions therefore made a depot with every item of their equipment not absolutely necessary for Iheir own existence. Placing tho sick man in a sledge and a fur sleeping bag. they made a gallant effort to drag him to safety. For four davs they were helped by a southerly wind, and progress >vas possible. The party arrived at Corner Camp on the evening of February 17. Incessant snowfalls during the next, 12 hours rendered the surface hopeless for travelling. Tho two men could barely move tho sledge. On the 18th Evans's condition became serious. A.s the food was running short drastic measures were necessary. Therefore Crean started to walk to Discovery Hut, 30 miles away, while Lashley remained to nurse Evan's. By his extraordinary care and excellent nursing Lashley undoubtedly SAVED HIS LIFE. Crean arrived at tho hut after an 18 hours' march, much fatigued and numbed with cold. Fortunately Dr Atkinson and Dirnitii were there with two dog teams. A severe blizzard broke over the depot within half an hour of Croan's arrival. As soon as it had sufficiently abated Atkinson and Dimitri set out with the dogs to succour Evans and Lashley. They travelled through the driving snow all night, and eventually reached Evans's tent. Fresh food had been brought with them After resting the dogs Dr Atkinson decided to take the invalid to Discovery Hut in a single march. Tho dogs covered 34 miles in about five hours. Dr Atkinson allowed Evans to be moved on a sledge to the Terra Nova after a week'.* rest at the hut, and there attended him for another week, when ho considered his patient to be OUT OF DANGER. Evans's condition has continued to im prove, and lie is now convalescent. After a complete rest in New Zealand lie will, it h hoped, bo able to proceed to England on business connected with the expedition. and return in time to make the relief voyage by the Terra Nova at the end of this year. Lieutenant Evaais states that no anxiety need ba felt concerning tho health of any of the members of Captain Scott's sledge loam. Lieutenant Evans was himself absent from the winter quarters engaged in surveying work and depot-laying from October 9 till just before leaving on the main sledding journey. During this period ho had necessarily to eat sledging rations, whilo tho other members of the southern party were in the hut about two months before leaving. Great ea.ro was taken l:y

tho doctors that all in the hut ate fresh meat and other antiscorbutic food daily. Further, it may bo pointed out that Lieutenant Evans had an exceptional amount of man haulage owing to the motor skdge breaking down, which accident did not affect any members of Captain Scott's present party. The southern parly, having five men to pull their sledge, will return very easily compared to the last supporting party of three nten. They will also be met nmd supported by two dog teams driven by Cherry, Garrard, and Dimitri, who left Discovery Hut for that purpose on February 26. THE TERRA NOVA'S REPORT.

The Terra Nova sailed from Lyttelton on December 15 with seven mules, 14 dogs, and a further year's supply of stores. ExcepI tionally fine weather was experienced, with j light winds, which enabled the mules to be I frequently exercised on deck during the j whole voyage. This weather also permitted . complete line soundings to be run from | New Zealand to the Antarctic. Soundj ings under 60 fathoms were obtained until | 150 miles E.S.E. of Campbell Islands, whereafter deep water was experienced, the I greatest depth being 3100 fathoms. Many ! icebergs were met south of 61deg. Ixjose pack ice was met with at 64deg south on I December 26, the main bodv being entered on the 27th, in 65deg 30min south.. The ship finally left the pack early in January, after passing through 130 miles and being completely upheld from 28th December to the 31sL Whilst in the pack the dogs were exercised daily on large ice floes. Robertson Bav was reached on January 3, and found to be completely filled witih pack ice and icebergs, which, together with the swift tidal streams, made ! the relief of Campbell's partv (henceforth called the " northern party ") difficult, the ship only being able to approach the beach at Cape A dare for two hours. Both on thle '3rd and 4Ui the ground swell considerably I interfered with the loading of the boats ashore. After embarking the northern party on January 4 tho ship proceeded down the coast to land them near Wood Bay, j Much pack ice was here met with, pro- ' venting the ship from approaching tilw> coast; but eventually they were landed in Tenia Nova Bay, north of the Drygolskj 1 Banner, on January 8. They proposed to j work due north thence, leaving Mount Mel- ■ bourne to the eastward and Mount Nansen I Range to the west, proceeding as far as time allowed with the object of examining 1 the north-eastern extreme of the inland plateau both geographically and geologically. The ship then proceeded south to communicate with Cape Evans and relieve tie western geological party at Granite i Harbour. She was again HELD IN THE ICE for two days. Leaving Terra. Nova Bav, she finally arrived off Beaufort Island on January 12, where it was found that a heavy pack blocked the whole entrance to M'Murdo Sound and extended across to the western coast. On the 13th she was able to penetrate the pack off Cape Bird\ but foumd fast ice for 20 miles north of Capo Evans. The season was exceptionally late, and at no time could the ship approach nearer than 25 miles to Granite Harbour in order to relieve the western geological party, though repeated attempts were made. Trie pack in this direction was extremely heavy, the ship being caught and! detained on several occasions for from two to three days at a time, though fortunately without experiencing any dangerous pressure. On February 3 the line of fast ice was four miles north of Cape Evans, but very rotten at the exlge. Tie shore party at Cape Evans was able to communicate witn tho ship by- the help of dog sledges but the ICE WAS TOO DANGEROUS to allow of further passage between the ship and the shore. It was not until February 6 that the ice broke away to Cape Barne, and allowed the ship to be secure alongside safe, fast ice. She was then still three miles north of Cape Evans. 'I he work of sledging the stores ashoro commenced, and continued till the 14th, with occasional interruptions from wind' The mules and new dogs were landed in excellent condition, after being aboard for 55 days. Some of the latter were in such good form that they were put to the sledge immediately. On tho 14th the ice, by breaking up, but not moving out' stopped all communication with the shore The ship proceeded across the sound to gutter Point to lay out a depot. A note was here found from Taylor, reporting the safety of the members of the western geological party and their departure from Granite Harbour for Hut Point via Piedmont Glacier, they having passed Butter Point the day before the ship steamed south along the coast and found the geological party at Blue Glacier. After embarking them the ship proceeded to the north to relieve the northern party at Terra Nova Bay, but found a huge extent of heavy pack from 45 miles south of Drygalski Barrier to the north of Cape Washington, which BAFFLED ALL ATTEMPTS to penetrate it. She was held up till February 23 in ice formed by new pancake ice, thickened by pressure and made into floes by freezing together. Thfs early formation of ice was of sufficient Jhiekness to hold up the ship even when at full speed, and foiled all attempts to reach Terra Nova Bay. After the 23rd much bad weather and newly-formed ice were encountered, but with difficulty the remainder of the relief stores were landed by lx>at at (.'ape Evans. Lieutenant Evans was picked up at Hut Point. A further endeavour to relievo the northern partywas made without success. On March 5 the ship finally left Capo Evans. LEAVING FOR THE NORTH. The ship with difficulty steamed through . the new ice entrance to the sound, having at times to back astern and then charge ahead at full speed in order to make any impression at all. This early closing of the season v>as probably caused by the ex- ! tremely late date whereon the ice had ' broken away. The pack thus formed late ■ in tile season of heavy ice some feot thick not only kept the temperature of the sea low, but prevented the newly-made ice from being broken up and dispersed by the wind and sea. It was now scon that it would be impossible to again return to M'Murdo Sound this season. The ship was thus prevented from obtaining the latest news of Captain Scott. On the 6th ! and 7th March the ship again attempted to I pick up tho northern party, but found that the ice had thickened to such an extent in I their vjcinity during tho last few daya that she was unable to approach the position as close as what, she could have done three days before. It was char that the

WINTER CONDITIONS had already set in, and that further waiting was useless as tho ship would bo in danger of being frozen in for tho winter, and as a result she would bo finally unable to relievo the northorn party. A course was therefore shaped for New Zealand. The northern party, consisting of Campbell, Levick, Priestley, Abbott, Browning, and Dickason, will proceed south along tho coast to tho winter quarters at Cape Evans, via Butter Point and the Discovery's quarters at Hut Point,' a distance of about 200 miles. They are provisioned and equipped with a view to this possible emergency arising. There are several depots on tho coast of South Granie Harbour, whilst seals and penguins will provide ample fresh food. The ship made a GOOD PASSAGE under sail to New Zealand waters. She encountered a heavy storm on March 23, which lasted three days, but caused no damage beyond the washing away of tho starboard lifeboat. CAMPBELL AND PARTY. As Campbell and party was not picked up only an incomplete report of their previous movements can be given. They landed at Cape Adare on February 18, 1911, tho ship sailing the following night. Their hut was completed on March 3, with only one interruption from a gale. Its site was on the middle of the Adelio penguin rookery, which occupied a very diy spot on a moraine which extends far up the mountain side. The hut will thus be surrounded by countless numbers of penguins during the whole summer. THE FIRST BLIZZARD of hurricane force was experienced on March 19, when the anemometer broke after recording a wind velocity of 84 miles per hour. During tho winter theso s:'\ere gales wero not uncommon. They snook the hut violently on one occasion, and tho porch was blown away, but otherwise, except minor mishaps, tho hut stood well, being stayed by wire ropes passed over it and secured by two buried anchors. The sea finally FROZE OVER tho bay during the last week of May. Short sledging trips were made in the bay. It was intended to start tho main journey at the end of August over the sea ico toward Capo North, but a heavy blizzard on August 15 took all the sea ice out to tho northward of tho moraine and tho west side of Robertson Bay. Tho sea, having re-frozen, Campbell and party left on September 8, sledging over the sea ice. A very bad surface was experienced, necessitating relay work and slow progress. To tho west of Cape Barrow the thin sea ico was found to be already creaking. As tho coast here affords no spot suitable for landing or for retreating from beyond Cai>e Scott to Cape Adare except over the sea ice, and tho ice being obviously about to go out again, they wero compelled to retire to Robertson Bay. The remainder of the time until tho whole of tho ice went from tho bay, at the beginning of November, was occupied in making sledging trips about the bay for collecting geological specimens, photographing, surveying, etc. During tho last two months they were oonfined to the moraine and the maintains immediately behind until relieved. January 4, 1912. Tho northern party was able to make good geological collections during the wholo period they occupied tho hut, and continuous meteorological, magnetic, and other observations were taken, which aro of particular value, as they wero taken simultaneously with similar ones taken by Captain Evans. The party enjoyed excellent health throughout. WESTERN GEOLOGICAL PARTY'S REPORT. Tho western geological party, consisting of Debonham, Wright, and Petty-officer Evans, in charge ..f Griffith Taylor, landed at Butter Point, below tho Feirar Glacier, on January 27, 1911. A depot was made at Cathedral Rocks on 'January 31. They then sledged west for 15 miles and down a glacier, entering a dry valley. A snug oamp was made in an alcove 30ft deep excavated by the sun into the glacier. This alcove shows the tremendous molting power of tho eun in the>e regions. At a height of 2400 ft above the glacier Debonham discovered an extinct crater of the late glac:er age; also late basalt flows 80ft thick. On February 2 the sledgo and cooker wero placed in a depot, and tho party portaged for five days down a snow-free and dry valley to the sea. Tliey lived on cold food without great discomfort for this period. A deep fresh-water lake, four miles long, with only the surface frozen, was traversed. Tho party returned down the Feirar Glacier. On February 13, while crossing New Harbour, the ice whereon they wero sledging suddenly commenced to float out, and a quick rush aeross a mile of cracking floe just brought the slodgcs to tho FAST ICE IN TIME. Then then steered south for the Koettlitz

Glacier. The routo up the middle of the glacier lay over a most difficult surface, and they wero constantly falling thiough the thin ica into pools of water 2ft below. On February 24 thov reached the west coast of the Koettlitz Glacier, near Hoald Island, through a fringe of ice monoliths. A week was spent in this vicin'ity. A largo subterranean stream originated hero, and flowed under a moraine and glacier for 25 miles to the sea. It formed a well-used route for numerous seals, and their blowholes occurred at intervals along it. Along its course SEVERAL CAVES, ei.crasted with beautiful ice crystals, which wero investigated by Wright. The party returned from the Koettlitz Glacier along the edge of an almost impenetrable pinnacle of ice N.E. of Dailey Isles. On March 8 rhey suddenly emerged on an open-water bay, with newly-formed thin ice, which forced them under the pinnacles. It took two days to negotiate six miles of this surface, after which they were able to sledge over the soa-ieo again. A VIOLENT BLIZZARD, lasting 48 hours, kept them oamped on the edge of the barrier just where the ice had broken out with Lieutenant Bowers a week before. At the first lull they made for Castle Rock, and crossing a promontory, they descended to Diseovcry Hut on March 14, "having been out six weeks. A remarkable feature was that this party encountered very little strong wind', and no blizzards, while on the western shores, though at Cape Evans very bad weather waa experienced during the same period. The western geological party, in charge, of Griffith Taylor, with Debonham, Lieutenant Gran, and Forde, again left headquarters on November 7, 1911, for Granite Harbour. The pledging loads wero exceptionally heavy, totalling 14001 b, and necessitating relaying. A speed of five miles per day brought them to their destination on December 1. At a cape nine miles inside of Granite Harbour a stone hut was built, and a blubber stove was installed. For over two months seal meat was the staple food, blubber being almost the only fuel used when on the coast. The first week was devotee! to exploring the northern shores. A FURIOUS BLIZZARD, resulting in 2ft of snow, prevented them from sledging farther north, and during the next fortnight they sledged around West Harbour, finding near masses of marblo remarkably large and interesting contact minerals, such : s topaz. At their headquarters thousands of wingleu insects of two different species were found, clustering half frozen under almost every pebble. On December 27 they started exploring tho western high lands. They passed tremendous icefalls on the Mackay Glacier. By portaging the sledge gear up 1000 ft of granite cliff and steep l>oukler-covored slopes. Point Nunatak was reached. Here they found numerous well-preserved fossils, probably crustaceans. Debenhani discovered si>ecimens of BITUMINOUS COAL. These were almost certainly derived from a well-marked outcrop. Beautiful polished blocks characterised the vicinity, forming tho most remarkable examples of glacial action hitherto seen in Victoria Land. The work done last summer by the geological party, in conjunction with this season's work. has resulted in a survey of some detail, both geological and topographical, of the wholo coast north of Mount Morning to Granite Harbour, including what appears to be a good new route to the inland plateau behind Granite Harl>our. On Janyury 8 the party returned to the Stone Hut, to await the ship's arrival, but over 30 miles of fast sea ice remained between the the edge and the open water. After waiting for weeks, until only 10 days' available sledging food remained, they decided to retreat over Piedmont Glacier to Discovery Hut, via Butter Point. No specimens or personal gear could be carried. Some 20foot crevasses were crossed the first day, but then a routo was found at the 1000 ft level, which avoided the larger crevasses. They found that all the sea ice had broken out south of Dunlop Island. After coasting around open water for the next 10 days, tho party wore crossing the Blue Glacier when they were picked up by the ship on February 15. It is highly probable that the Terra Nova will be able to obtain specimens from Granite Harbour in 1913. SUMMARY OF SCIENTIFIC WORK. The general plan arranged for the scientific work of the expedition has been carried out so far almost entirely. The self-regis-tering meteorological instruments have given continuous records of the pressure, temperature, and wind velocity and direction, and these have been checked every four hours by eye olworvations. The upper atmosphere has been investigated by means of small balloons, which have shown tho direction of the upper currents to a height of six miles, and tho temperature up to five miles. An almost unbroken ro-

I cord of the magnetic elements has been obtained, and absolute magnetic observaj t'olls have been made every week. The i self-registering magnetic instruments were • installed in a room excavated in the side I ot a small glacier. This eliminated changes ; in the temperature, which are a serious cause of error in this class of work. All through the winter tho aurora was observed every hour, but very few brilliant displays occurred. The atmospheric electricity has also been studied', and ice work and physiography have afforded, much field work. The vexed problems regarding tho origin of Alpine topography, when Europe and other temperate regions were undergoing the age of ice, are being studied on the examples offered by the retreating glaciers in Victoria Land, where the ice age still obtains. The mainland offers a rich field for petrology, with an abundance of mineralbearing quartz veins, but of no economic value. Specimens of coal of economic value and well preserved fossils had been found near Granite Harbour. At the winter quarter an excellent field exists for ice work in miles of glacier. In front of the hut stands a cape formed largely of a massive morra.ine, while lava flows from Mount Erebus. Pendulum observation for the value of gravity lias been carried out. A tido gauge has given a continuous record of marine work,, and biological work has been carried out throughout tho winter at a hole kept open in the sea ice for nets, wator samples, and sea temperatures. Quantitative and qualitative observations of minute organisms at various seasons are giving interesting results. Parasitology of all seals, penguins, and other birds and fish available has already given good results. Some new protozoa havo been found. The above has fully occupied the time of the scientific staff, and indicates an ample field for further research in every direction. Successful biological work has been carried out on the ship, including seven trawls, from which a large collection of deep sea fauna has been obtained. A number of catches with a tow net have been obtained, which show a vertical dis> fcribution of transparent floating organisms of the sea. Continuous metorological observations havo been taken on the ship, linking up Australasia and Antarctaea. Natural history research has been greatly assisted by the use of the cinematograph, and many thousands of feet of films havo been used in securing permanent animated records of interesting bird and animal life in these regions. Every phase of seal, penguin, skua, and gull life seen is thus illustrated, and somo remarkable cinematograph films havo been secured, showing for t.lie first time the killer whale—the wolf of the seas —in its native element. EXPLORING AND SCIENTIFIC WORK. VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE. INTERESTING INTERVIEWS. UHRISTOHTJRCH, April 3. The Terra Nova arrived at Lytfcelton early this morning. Sho was in remarkably fino order, and showed few si<rns of the rough handling she had received in the Antarctic. Hor decks were clean and orderly, and her paint work had been cleaned and "touched up " during her cruise off Banks Peninsula. A few more ice soars, a broken and twisted iron sheatliang plate on her port bow, and the gap 3 where two or three more plates were mit-ising just bolow tho water lino, and her smoke-blackened funnel and weather-beaten rigging and spars wore tho only outward and visiblo signs of tho vessel's strenuous and trying experiences. Tho following is a complete list of the members of the expedition (including tho ship's company) who havo returned from the Antarotic in tho Terra Nova:—Officers and scientists —Lieutenant Edward It. G. R. Evans, R.N., Lieutenant Harry L. L. Pennell, R.N. (commanding the Terra Nova), Lieutenant Henry E. Do P. Rennick. R.N., Lieutenant Wilfrid M. Bruce, R.N.R., Mr Francis R. H. Drake, R.N. (secretary), Dr George C. Simpson (physicist), Mr Cecil H. Meares (charge of the ponies and dogs), Mr Griffith Taylor (geologist), Mr Denis G. Lillio (biologist), Mr Herbert G. Pouting (bioscopic and camera, artist), Mr James R. Dennistouri (in charge of the mules), Mr Bernard C. Day (motor engineer); warrant officers—Mr Alfred Oh Get ham (boatswain), Mr William Williams, R.N. (chief engineer), Mr W. A. Morton, R.N. (second engineer), Air F. E. C Davis, R.N. (carpenter); men—Potty officers R. Fordo, R.N., F. P ar Sons, R.N., A. S Bailey, R.N. ; leading seaman, A. Balson, R.N. ; able seaman, J. Lees, K.N., petty officer, J. 11. Mather, R.N.; seamen—W. L. Ileald, J. Patton, M. M'Carthy, J. Skelton, T. M'Leod, and W. M'Donald; leading stokers—R. Brisscnden R.N.. and E. A. M'Kensio, R.N.; stoker, W. Burton, R.N.; firemen—T. M'Gillon and A. MDorald ; stewards—T. Clissold and W. II Neale; groom, Anton Omelohcnkc.

Th j Terra Nova arrived at daylight. Sho was brought in by the tug and berthied without ceremony. Th > returned members of the Antarctic expedition showed a marked indisposition to talk chop this morning, but Mr J. J. Kinsey (the Christchurch a.gent for the expedition) promised that an official message would be supplied later in the day. The party were disappointed to learn that Captain Scott had been forestalled by Captain Amundsen, but express tho conviction that Captain Scott reached tho Pole, probably by January 11 or 12. He would return to his base a month later. He had an ample stock of provisions at the last depot, which was 150 miles from the Pole, and there was no cause for anxiety on that account. General exploring and scientific work would be carried on during the remainder of this season and next, until the return of the Terra Nova to the south. The parties have thus plenty to occupy their timo. Campbell's party should be able to return to the base in the winter when the sea ];, frozen. Lieutenant Evans, who contracted scurvy in returning from tho southern journey, is still very weak, and will be confined to tho houss for some time. Otherwise the party havo returned in the best of health, and members certainly look as if the Antarctic air conduces to physical well-being. Some interesting news regarding: the work dtoaio by other members of the expedition was given in tho course of interviews to-day. It was stated that Dr Atkinson had prosecuted his researches into parasitology with remarkablo enthusiasm. He had displayed considerable ingenuity in catching and trapping fish, tho flesh of which was welcomed as dainty fare by his comrades, whilj the entrails were examined for new parasites. Dr Atkinson displayed all tho joy and enthusiasm of an expert who is working on entirely new ground l . 1 The journey undertaken by Dr Wilson in order to study the emperor penguins was described as one of the finest feats ever performed in the Antractic. He managed to bring back three eggs, and as soon as possible the embryo were taken out By the greatest good fortune each embryo was in a different stage of develop- , ment No new species of birds wero seen, ' but all tho birds were watched and records kept of thim when they appeared and dis- | appeared. It will be' remembered that Captain Amundsen reported three new : species of penguin. j Mr C. S. Wright, the chemist with the western party, devoted a largo amount of timo to working out ice problems and examining and photographing every new form of ice crystal. Ho was also endeavour- ! in<r to discover tho forms in which crystals fell from tho sky. He underwent a very , great amount of exposure in his efforts to determine tho value of gravity in Antarctica and also the shape of the earth. Some exceedingly minute and intricate ob- • servations and calculations had to be made, necessitating the exposure of the observer to temperatures of tho most freezing description. Mr E. W. Nelson, biologist, was studying tho differences in organisms in various temperatures, and generally contributing to tho store of knowledge of marine biology. Tho scientific members of the expedition naturally feel that the success of the expedition should not be entirely dependent on the conquest of the Polo. They havo devoted their time, energies, and skill to different problems, and the information which they bring back will add materially to the scientific world's storehouse of knowledge of things in the Antarctic Tho loss of tho ship's black cat, which an.swored to the descriptive sobriquet of "Nigger," was a sad blow to the ship's company. On the way down Nigger had a narrow escape from drowning. Ho either fell or was washed overboard, and the Terra Nova was stopped to pick hirn up. A boat was hastily lowered, and after swimming in intensely cold water for about six minutes Nigger was picked up and returned to his rejoicing owners. Com:tier homo, however, tho fates were less kind, and Nigger was lost overboard one night and no trace of him was ever seen again. THE WORK OF THE DOGS. STATEMENT BY LIEUT. PENNELL CHRISTCHURCH, April 3. An interesting statement, dealing with the work of tho dogs was made by Lieutenant Pennell in the course of an interview. He said that 28 dogs were taken down to tho south in 1911. Bad weather was experienced on the trip, and there was diffieullv in keeping tho dops dry. Tho dogs could ftand cold but not tho wet; but as it was they got very wet indeed. However, they landed in good condition, and started almost immediately haulinc stores between tho ship and the shore. There were three teams of eight dojes each, and each team made three trips a dav over a distance of three miles, tho weight of stores carried

being 6001 b each team. Thoro were also four teams of men on era red, and tliey managed to average three trips a day, and took about the same weight. The dogs did quite as much as the men in oarryiug the! stores backwards and forwards. Wheal the One-ton Depot was being laid out the dogs also did their share, and hauled stores (o 1 tho weight of 7501 b. That was pretty good, Thoro were two dog teams engaged on the work, each with four men, and eight ponies ■with eight men. The value of the work of the dogs was amply demonstrated. There seemed to be an impression that Captain Amundsen's dogs had done much better than Captain Scott's dogs, but Captaia Amundsen had over 100 dogs, whereas Captain Soott had only 28, for he relied on { ponies aa well. The dogs wore at Hub ' Point till May 15. and from May 15 till September 1 they were at Cape Evans. They travelled 230 miles over the sea ice, carrying cargo between Hut Point and Capo Evans, Tho hut at Hut Point wsa really i boco miner a. most elaborate affair. It was fully supplied with stores, etc., and ho I believed it had a library. During Septem- ' ber and October last the dogs were carrying stores between Cape Evans and Hal Point, and that was the period when Captain Amundsen found it too cold to work the dogs; but Captain Scott's dogs were out all that time. Tlie sum total of their travelling was 230 miles between tlie two i places, and they also made two trips to Corner Camp—another 136 miles, —and took 1900 Lb of oargo there. On tho southern! : journey 23 dogs, working from Hut Point to One-ton Depot, took approximately 15001 b of cargo, that weight not including the sledges or tho men. From One-ton Depot onwards 21 dogs were employed, and they hauled 17001 b. When the dogs were up on the Beardmore glacier they hauled 8001 b of cargo per team, and in addition to their sledging weight* thov went one day's journey up the Beardmore Glacier. They were two months out, and travelled 854miles. Only ono dor was lost, and that one was killed because it was useless. It ate food and did no work. Tho mules could not work on tho ioo because it was w> slippery, and only four teams of men could bo raised, the result being that the dogs did quite half the day's work each day. It was really due to the efforts of the dogs tliat Lieutenant Evans was brought back alive. When the newa came of hi* plight Dr Atkinson happened to be at Hut Point with tho dogs ready to go out to pick up Captain Soott. He had to wait for a Wizard to finish and then set out to rescue Lieutenant Evans. The doc* worked magnificently, and same bock ir» ono rush, three miles in five hours. There were throe men on the sledge—the driver, Dr Atkinson, and" Lieutenant Evans. The dogs travelled too fast for the men to walk. Afterwards the dogs went out to the barrier to moot tho South Polo party and help them back over the final stages of tho journey. Tho dogs were well looked after by Mr Moares, and that really explained why tho lossxw were so few. The food supplied to tlie dors consisted of biscuit and seal meat, also a special pemmioart preparation consisting of seal meat and blubber. Regarding Lieutenant Evans's illness, Mj Pennell said that Lieutenant Evans hoa been doing a large amount of survey work near M'Murdo Sound, starting from early in September, and, with the exception of 19 days, was living on sledging rations, oonv mencing that diet about two months before anybody else. Lieutenant Evans was most enthusiastic over the survey work, ami could not have got it accomplished had ha> s-.ofe gone out in tho way he did. Lieu* tonant Evans was also with the party that had tho lxid luck to lose tho use of the motor sledges, and the men had to turn to and haul the loads themselves. On the subject of the value ol the mules. Lieutenant Pennell said the mules word perfectly broken, and tho only reason why [hey could not bo made use of for unloading the ship was because the ioe was too piippery Tt was really like glass frt plaons Referring to the northern party which' hod to be left behind. Lieutenant Ponnelt said trtat several attempts were made to rr*t the ship through the ice to reach them, but without success. However, this was a contingency that had not boon overlooked, and the party, who wera properly provisioned, would make their way to tho hut. Thero were several denote established. an<l until the end of April the party would be able to deT>end on seal meat. The ship's work. Lieutenant PenneH stated, consisted almost entirely In strutrgline- with the ice. They met nothing ex- 1 cepticnal in tho wav of icebergs. They met a tremendous number of whales in the Antarctic, but they wero the small fin back whales. On the iournov nortli they came' u-p with a school of eight sperm wholes. VTiri sTPHt an afternoon steaming round trying to photograph them; but they could! not <r.'.' near enough. The gale experienced on th& way north was the worst weather exneriercoed since tho chip left England, but ehe rode through'

it majrnificently, and only one boat was lost. One wave was found by measurement to be 50ft high, and it towered above the bridc-o of tfie ship. The engines, and in fact all the mechinical department of the ship, worked without a hitch. "The members of the expedition," Lieutenant Pennell said, in concluding, " aro quite certain that Captain Scott has got to the Pole. When Lieutenant Evans left him Captain Scott had sufficient food to tako him to tho Pole and back to the depot nearest the Polo assuming that the party wero only making eight miles a day and stopped at the Pole some time; but as a matter of fact when Lieutenant Evans left the party were going at the rate of 15 miles a day. When Lieutenant Evans left the party wero in good heart. Captain Scott Would NOT race. Ho would not turn tho thing into a race. Ho wanted to make suro that he would get there, progressing favourably." It was "simply on account of the motion of the ship that Lieutenant Evans was not allowed to get up until two days before the Terra Novu got into Akaroa. In spite. of his long confinement in bed aboard shin Lieutenant Evans is already able to walk about a little, and is, in fact, convalescent, and getting on well. A GEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION. INTERVIEW WITH MR T. GRIFFITH TAYLOR, CHRISTCHURCII, April 3. t>no of tho members of the western geological party was Mr T. G. Taylor. The party did geological work over towards Granite Harbour. They started off later than Captain Scott, as Mr Debenham, ono of their number, bad met with- a rather severe accident to his knee. However, Mr Debenham pluckily started beforo ho was qtiate well, and the expedition, at its initial stages, had the assistance of Mr E. W. Kelson. "Mr Debenham had to hobble along beside the sledges and Mr Taylor, but his knee got better and better every day, and Mr ISelson was able to leave us. It was tho most extraordinary cure for a bad knoo that I ever hoard of, but Mr Debenham took his full share in pulling ono of the heaviest sledgo loads that ever went down there. When wo arrived at Granito Harbour his knee was practically right again. Our arangements were to come back to headquarters about the Bth January, and tho ship was to meet us about that time. She was actually in the sound on the Bt.h. and we waited to be taken off until tho sth February. Then our food began to run .short, except seal meat. It began to got dark early, and the nights were getting cold. We prospected a bit, and then started to traverse the Piedmont Glacier, which lies between tho mountains and tho sea, and is from 10 to 20 miles broad. There wero some tremendous cliffs of ico, and we were doubtful whether wo would be successful, but after a few days' travelling wo found it much easier than we expected. There are numerous crevasses, but when wo began to understand the lie of the land wo could xc\\ where tho crevasses occurred. Wo had hoped to bo back at Discovery Hut somewhere about tho 25th February, but as you know we were picked up by the ship on the 15th."

Coming "to the geological work, Mr Taylor said that their idea when they got to Granite Harbour was to stay there for six weeks and do all the geological work they could. When they got there they went up tho big glacier, surveying all the time. They came to a huge nunatak (lonely rock) where they settled down for a week, camping on some beacon sandstone. Almost all the rock was volcanic or eruptive, and it was sedimentary. It was tho biggest lump of fossil-bearing rock ho had ever seen. The fossils were found in the sedimentary rocks when they camped. In tho broken stuff Mr Debenham. found some big lumps of coal, one piece being as big as a man's body. Tlio coal had come from Ik.e side of the nuaiatak. The sedimentary bands could be seen, but they wero inaccessible. The coal was quite a true coal, and burned when tried with a match. Mr Taylor said that when tho party had to retreat over the Piedmont Glacier they cut down their loads to tho lowest possible limit, even leaving behind their extra pairs of s<X'ks. The collected geological specimens weighed about 6001 b, so they were left behind, packed on a sledge. If the conditions were anything like normal next year the specimens would be secured without any difficulty. Mr Debenham took back some of tho coal specimens. The geological field in the Antarctic had mode a profound impression on him, and the rocks and minerals were from a geological jx>int of view most interesting Tho principal characteristicof the rocks was the speed at which they gave way before t.ho weather. Frosts and thaws split granite in a comparatively few years, and rocks were hollowed out like sponges by the action of the frost and wind. The x>rovince of work that Interested him particularly was tho relation of topography to erosion, and his observations on this subject had confirmed his previous opinions in a way that exceeded his expectations. Ho had hoped to find an explanation of the tremendous vallcvs in Switzerland and the fiords of New Zealand, and at the Antarctic with tho ice in sight ono could seo that, there was no possibility of their having been cut out by water. ANTARCTIC STORMS. SUDDEN VARIATIONS. CHRISTCHt'RCII, April 3. Dr G S. Simpson, the physicist with the western party, gave some interesting information regarding the weather conditions and observations in Antarctica. He prefaced his remarks by stating that on the present occasion tunity for eomparirg records obtained by the western party with those obtained by tho King Edward VII Land party and tho Cape Adair party. Further, the scientific value of tho observations taken by the members of Captain Scott's expedition would be quadrupled owing to tho comparisons that would be possiblo with the observations taken by the members of Captain Amundsen's expedition and those by tho members of Dr Mawson's expedition. Tile observations taken by the members of Captain Scott's expedition during the second year would also be greatly in-

creased in value owing to the very complete set of instruments used. Dr Simpson said that he hoped to have an opportunity to comparo Captain Amundsen's observations with his own, and ho expected that the comparison would bo most interesting. Dr Simpson said that it had been very interesting to learn that Captain Amundsen got such comparatively calm weather during his journey to the Pol© He gave some examples of the weather observations taken at the hut £143 indicating the weather experienced. On July 8 the morning was fairly decent until 9 o'clock, when the temperature was minus 55deg (equalling 75deg of frost). It then started to blow, and by noon the velocity of the wind was 43 miles per hour. Such a wind, he explained, would begin to fetch the slates off the roofs of buildings in any English town. The point was that the wind velocity mentioned represented' a railway train going at a good rate, and one could imagine what the velocity of the wind was if they supposed themselves standing on the roof of a carriage on a train going 43 miles an hour. At 3 p.m. tho same nay the tomperaturo remained unaltered, but between 3 and 4 o'clock the velocity of the wind was 52 miles an hour. Then the temperature began to rise very slightly, but between 9 and 10 p.m. the wind was blowing at the rate of 63 miles per hour. During that hour the temperature was minus 31d'eg. That gale continued till the 13th, when the temperature gradually rose. On the 12th the record velocity of 66 miles in one hour was recorded. This was not a gust, but a continuous blow at the velocity mentioned. For one hour the next day "a velocity of 66 miles was also recorded" between 2 and 3 o'clock in tho afternoon. After tho first day's blow the temperature began to rise until, towards the end of tho ga!o, it rose to about zero. Dr Simpson "then spoke of the terrific gusts of wind experienced. The wind might be blowing, for instance steadily at 50 miles an hour when sudden gusts would •be experienced at 64 or 65 miles an hour; or it might be blowing at 36 miles an hour steadily/ wlicn suddenly it would rush up io 60 miles, and even as high as 78 miles an hour. That was a remarkable fact about the Antaretio winds—the high velocity of these sudden gusts. It might be absolutely calm, when suddenly a wind blowing at 15 mile 3 an hour would spring up. This was what made it so dangerous for anyone to go far from tho hut without tents. * No one dared to go more than two or throe miles from the hut without a tent because of the sudden variations in tho wind force likely to bo met with. Until he went to Antarctica he had never experienced wind of such velocity, and at first he stood amazed when ho saw the records made by the instruments He produced a number of the charts made by the selfrecording instruments, and these- bore- out his remarks regaiding the eudd'enm ss with which tho wind rises and attains an exceed, ingly high velocity. Ho pointed out on .several charts instances of gusts Unit for a brief period attained a velocity of 70 miles an hour. " Captain Amundsen is reported to have experienced only three blizzards during tho period dealt with in those chart, l ;," remarked Dr Simpson. " All I can say is that

Captain Amundsen would tell all there was to tell, and would not underestimate."

On being questioned regarding the temperatures, Dr Simpson said that ho did not think ho could add much to what had been stated in Captain Scott's report under that head. On ho Bamer low temperatures wcro recorded, but at Capo Evans, only a few miles away, tho temperatures wore not so low. Dr Simpson produced for the reporter's inspection a copy of tho actual sledging diary, in which weather observations were noted by thoso on sledging journeys. Threo observations were taken and noted daily. The particular diary shown proved to be. the ono kept by Lieutenant Evans, and contained two remarks of interest. There was a blank from January 19 to January 22. and tho observer noted: "Too snow-blind to observe." On February 9 appeared tho note " Observer too bad with scurvy to continue observations. Sorry." Each diary contains particulars regarding the instruments used. Dr Simpson remarked that if a diary had been left on the Barrier and picked up by some subsequent explorer the information it contained would bo found of use. SIR E. SHACKLETON INTERVIEWED. LONDON, April 2. In the course of an interview Sir E. Shackleton said ho had calculated that Captain Scott must have reached the Polo about tho 18th of January. CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN HONOURED. SYDNEY, April 3. Speaking at a civio reception given in the Town Hall in honour of Captain Amundsen, Professor David paid a high tribute to the Norwegian. Ilis dash to the Polo, ho said, was a magnificent feat. Captain Amundsen, in his reply, said ho thought they were paying too much attention to his South Pole business in Australia. There were men in tho audience who, with Bridwshoes and dogs, could imako much better time going South than ho did Captain Amundsen subsequently, with tho assistance of many splendid photographs, told tho story of his expedition to a largo audience. Professor David states that from Captain Scott's own story he is a'jsolutely certain that the prize of tho South Pole belongs to Captain Amundsen. lie lias also little doubt that when Captain Scott wroto on January 3 al! serious difficulties had been overcome. Ho had sufficient provisions, and, barring accidents, he should havo readied tho Pole yrithin a fortnight of tho date of his letter. THE RETURNED EXPLORERS. The following members embarked for the return: —Simpson, Meares, Ponting, Taylor, Day. Anton. The following have been la.nded for service ashore: —Williamson and Archer (changing places with Fordo and C'lissold, who will now serve on the Terra Nova). Drake proceeds to England, returning to the Terra Nova for the next relief voyage.