DEAD POLE-FINDERS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 4538, 23 May 1913, Page 5

DEAD POLE-FINDERS.

STORY OF THE TRAGEDY. WILSON’S ADVICE TO OATES.

‘SLOG ON. JUST SLOG ON 1”

Electric? Telegraph—Press Association

Copyright. London, Last Night. There was a brilliant assemblage to hear Lieutenant Evans’ lecture. It included Prince. Louis of Battenburg, General Baden Powell, Lords Brassey, Chelmsford, and Liainington, Lady Scott, the Horn. T. Alackenzie, New Zealand’s High Commissioner, naval and military officers, and many prominent scientists. Lieutenant Evans was accompanied on the platform by survivors oif the expedition. Mr Pauling exhibited a wonderful series of photographs of seal and penguin life and cinematograph films of the sledging parties.

Lord Ourzon welcomed tlie. survivors as men who not only dared and suffered hut accomplished that which entitled them to the gratitude of their countrymen and the admiration of the world. When the result of Captain Scott’s work was published it would be a first rank contribution to our Antarctic knowledge and a real monument to Scott and his men greater than sculptured effigies or carved inscriptions.

Lieutenant Evans stated that Captain Seott’s organisation was complete. The equipment was splendid so that tlie expedition remained self-con-tained even after the captain’s death. He paid a tribute to the bravery of Bowers, Cherry. Garrard, and Cream, when adrift on sea ice near Hut Point. Clean gallantly jumping from floe to H<m> and going to the assistance off Bowers and Garrard, who had been afloat on tho broken iee with their ponies for a whole day before they were rescued. Deseribing the work of the exjiedition, lie said that in Dry Valley they found a lake full of algae. They washed the gravel for gold, hut only found magnetite. He detailed tho life of the party in their winter quarters, and Wilson’s journey to Cape Crosier to observe tlie habits of penguins, and he said the party almost perished in a gale. Their tent was blown away and they slept in their sleeping bags in tlie open for two days. When tin* southern march began Meare’s supporting party travelled further south than his return rations warranted. Yet he and Dorn itri on their 450-mile northward march deprived themselves of one meal daily in order not to deplete the depots. When the tnrn of the last supporting party came to leave Scott on his dash for the Pole, they gave tlins- cheers and watched the intrepid flic disappear over the horizon. Lieutenant Eva ns reoounted how he si-o-retly advanced tlie hands of his watch in order to get an extra hour's march on the homeward" journey. He eulogised Civa.n lavishly for refusing to leave him when attacked by scurvy. Both had lieen recommended for the Albert medal.

Lieutenant Evans next detailed Si-ot.t’s journey as revealed in his diary. Seott. lie said, came upon Amundsen’s dog tracks at latitude 88 and followed them to the Pole, which he located within half a mile of Amundsen's reckonings. Hi- described the fine work of both expeditions, and mentioned the fact that Lady Scott had remarked on the magnificent spirit of the party in not making uncharitable remarks when they knew they had been anticipated. On their return journey, anil after Seaman Evans’ death, Seott must have realised by the gradually shortened marches how little hope they had of reaching the winter quarters. In the latter stages they travelled only three miles daily. Oates was badly frost-bitten, and constantly appealed for Dr. Wilson’s advice, asking wliat could he dm? Wilson could onlv reply : “Slog oil. Just slog on.” Oates died-on. It was his birthday. Dr. Wilson was nicknamed “Tlie Peacemaker.” Thanks to him. they never had a quarrel or an angry word. Bowers was the pet humorist of the party. He was a marvellous little fellow, whom Scott described as the hardiest man who ever undertook a Polar journey. Soott himself was the heart, and brain of the expedition. (Received this day at 10.10 a.in.) London, This Day. Lieutenant Evans paid a glowing tribute to the work of Campbell’s party, and to Griffith’s and Taylor's most valuable journey to Victoria Island for geological survey purposes. Ho concluded by thanking the public of Great Britain and the overseas Dominions for their generous support, to Captain Scott’s last appeal, which was to provide for their relatives and to give funds to publish tin- expedition records.