Whether the honour of being the first human being to reach the South Pole belongs to him must be a matter of conjecture until such time as the British expedition under Captain Scott returns to New Zealand and communicates its story to the world, which will now await it with very special interest; but it seems at least to be evident that Captain Amundsen has been the first person in history to lead a successful expedition back from the Pole.
The conditions under which the final dash was made by picked men of Captain Amundsen's party were, we judge, unusually favourable and particularly adapted for dog-sleighing, and this circumstance affords strong encouragement to the hope that Captain Scott may also have reached the Pole.
In the meantime, however, it is fitting that British people should recognise, as everywhere they will assuredly be prepared to recognise, the high merit of the feat which has been performed by Captain Amundsen.
• Mr F. J. Sullivan reports that when the trawlers were working outside the heads yesterday they turned and headed for the quieter waters of Blueskin Bay, on account of the weather being very rough.
There it was found that a large school of whales, of the Blackfish variety, had become stranded. The trawlers' men immediately went ashore and cut the throats of the "catch."
Five of the whales were towed off and brought round to Port Chalmers, the rest, to the number of about 15, being left on the beach till they can be dealt with.
• The Infantry Signalling Company broke camp at Waitati yesterday and put an appropriate finish to a week of useful practical training by marching from the camping ground to Dunedin, which was reached at about 5 p.m.
The men, who were commanded by Captain Lacey, accomplished the march in great heart.
The ever-willing 4th Regimental Band, under Lieutenant George preceded them through the main thoroughfare of the city, and the men, marching in fine soldierly style, showed no sign of distress. Colonel Smyth and Major Grant accompanied the troops, whose progress through the town arrested the interested attention of large numbers of citizens.
- ODT, 11.3.1912.
