HISTORY OF THE EXPEDITION.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13647, 12 February 1913, Page 5

HISTORY OF THE EXPEDITION.

The r hi^tory of the expedition is as

follows:-—

Before the Terra Nova left for .New (Zealand last/March', Surgeon; Atkinson who "had been left in chargo of the ;Western party until Captain Scott's ;return, despatched Messi-«; Garrard and Demetri, a dog dnver,. with two dog teams to assist thb v Southern party, whoso return to Hut Point was expect^ ed &bq\it March 10th, 1912.' DrY Atkiri-j son would-have accompanied thife pa/riy; but was kept ba&k in medical chai'ge of Lieutenant EvanSj.the second in command, who, it wilL be remembered, nearly died of scurvy..

This relief party reached One Ton depot on March 3rd, but was compelled to return on the 10th. of March owing primarily to the dog food running short and aleo to persistent, bad weather and the-poor condition of the dogs after the strain of the hard season's work. Tho dog' teams .'returned to Hut Point on.the 16th of March, the,pwr animals being mostly, frost bitten:and''incapable of further wbfK: LMrr,Cra^rrard. collapeed through an overstained- heart. 'His compstoipn was also sick. Aa, it was impossible ;".to communicate .with -Cape Evans^ ship .haying left oh the, 4th of March,;and open aea lying between, Dr.,;, AtHns^rivfandiEeoliane, the ■ only iwo rn^p^^':el6dged; out/ to /Corner Camp to'■render any;^^ help that might be wanted by ther^outhern par^. They found? -their^ way put to Corner Camp against the unusually severe weatfier, andMpialising'that they could be of no asftistance, were forced to.'return to' "Hut 'Point, i^ after.'.,.' deppting one week's provisions. ; . v-;. ' In Aprilf when communication with Cape Evans; was established, a gallant attempt to relfeve Lieutenant Campbell ,wasi-,';m*de '-jiiy ■;■:Atkinson, Wright, WilliaJcnepn and;'; K^eohane,. This party reached Butter Point, when they were stopped,by open water. Their return was excitinjgjiand nearly ended in disaster, owing to the sea ice breaking up.

A'•■ search party left Cape Evans after thq on, the 30th of: October last, being organised by Surgeon Atkinson, :and eonsßting -of two divisions. taking dog teams, v with Gfarrard and Demetri and Mr.: Wright in charge of tlie party which included Nelson, Granlashley, Crean, Williameori, Keohane and Hoop^ er, w;th seven Indian mules. They were prcrvisioned for three month?, expecting an extended search/ .