THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1912. THE RETURN OF THE TERRA NOVA.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13381, 2 April 1912, Page 4

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1912. THE RETURN OF THE TERRA NOVA.

Captain Scott's Antarctic exploration ship, the Terra Nova, returned to New Zealand yesterday, making its appearance, evidently for excellent reasons, at Akaroa instead of at Stewart Island, as had been arranged before the expedition started. The barrier of secrecy and .reserve- interposed between the ship's -company and those who sought: to learn how the party had fared piqued curiosity regarding the story those on board had .to.unfold, but the'latter had agreements and copyright privileges to consider, and the public in consequence have been under the necessity of waiting until this morning for the publication of the narrative brought back to civilisation by the Terra Nova. The discovery of the South Pole by Captain Amundsen, who returned to Hobart somewhat unexpectedly a few weeks ago, did not dispose of the possibility — and many competent authorities regarded it as a probability—that the intrepid British explorer had reached the goal first, and the arrival of his ship in New Zealand has consequently been awaited with no little expectancy throughout the world. New Zealand feels a particular interest in the matter, since from its geographical position it has been identified with all the British expeditions which have gone to seek the South Pole, and New Zealand has given to the world the first tidings of their respective achievements. These form an unbroken record of progress, rich in scientific results of the utmost value, but just falling short of the crowning distinction of the Union Jack being the first flag to be hoisted at the Pole, as now seems certain. Tho copyright narrative wo publish this morning finds tho expedition established in winter quarters, and prepared for tho southward journey when the conditions permitted. The party seems to have encountered "unusual difficulties, which, however, did not prevent it accomplishing a vpi-y meritorious performance, and tho acquisition of valuable scientific ■dala^—lt must-.be - rcmenibered that<al~,

tho expedition its chief significance in tho eyes of tho public, that Avas not the only or even tho principal aim with which Captain Scott set out. Ho ahvays laid stress upon the prime importance of the scientific and geographical Avork lying to tho hand of the explorer in the Antarctic regions, and as Sir Clement Markham is .reported to have stated, it is probable thatevjsn had he knoAvn that the ■Norwegian, explorer was "likely to forestall him at tho Pole, he Avould not have made a race of it. There is, Ikha--eA'er, a virtual certainty that-when Captain Scott himself returns to New Zealand .next year, lie Avill bring news of. tho attainment of the goal.