ANTARCTIC HERO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144235, 28 October 1913, Page 5

ANTARCTIC HERO.

ABBOTT’S RESTORATION TO HEALTH. , The most lively satisfaction has been occasioned (says the Pall Mall Gazette) among members of the British Antarctic Expedition and all who are acquainted with the circumstances by the announcement that Petty Officer George Abbott’s condition has undergone substantial improvement, and that there is a fair prospect of his restoration to health. Abbott, who was formerly a physical instructor in the Rojftil Navy, and was selected by Captain Scott out of some eight thousand applicants, by reason of his fine physique, was a member of the northern party of the expedition, and one of the men who •accomplished tho unprecedented feat of passing the grim Antarctic winter in the igloo, or snowhut, wearing only their summer kit and subsisting on the most scanty provisions. Fie was also one •of the little band whom Mr. Raymond Priestley, the geologist, led up the hazardous slopes of Mount Erebus. After the Terra Nova had begun her homeward voyage, Abbott’s health showed very grave indications of the Dying adventures which had befallen him, and these were followed by an acute nervous breakdown. Ho was put on board a mail boat and conveyed with all possible dispatch to the Royal Nanai Hospital at Portsmouth, where his condition so much improved that he was able to bo transferred to the Royal Naval Hospital at Great Yarmouth. The Fleet-Surgeon in charge at Van, mouth has now informed Abbott’s relatives that he has "great hopes for li'is recovery.” It will bo remembered that Abbott’s mother was granted £750 from the Lord Mayor’s fund a few weeks ago, and that lie was one of those who were unable to attend at Buckingham Palace when tho King received Commander Evans and • his comrades and presented medals and clasps for service in the Antarctic.