cut to measure and tied into
bundles ready for sledge transport in case it happened that we could not
put the ship close to the winter quarters. Instruments were adjusted, the
ice-house re-insulated and prepared to receive the 150 frozen sheep and
ten bullocks which were presented to us by New Zealand farmers. Stables
were erected under the forecastle and on the upper deck of the "Terra
Nova," ready for the reception of our ponies, and a thousand and one
alterations and improvements made. The ship was restowed, and all fancy
gear, light sails and personal baggage put ashore. We took on board 464
tons of coal and embarked the three motor sledges, petrol, and paraffin.

We spent four weeks in Port Lyttelton, four weeks of hard work and
perfect happiness. Our prospects looked very rosy in those days, and as
each new member joined the Expedition here he was cordially welcomed into
the "Terra Nova" family.

Mr. J. J. Kinsey acted as agent to the Expedition, as he had done for the
National Antarctic Expedition of 1901-4, and, indeed, for every Polar
enterprise that has used New Zealand for a base.

New Zealanders showed us unbounded hospitality; many of us had visited
their shores before and stronger ties than those of friendship bound us
to this beautiful country.

When we came to Lyttelton, Meares and Bruce had already arrived with
nineteen Siberian and Manchurian ponies and thirty-four sledge dogs, and
these were now housed at Quail Island in the harbour. All the ponies were
white, animals of this colour being accepted as harder than others for
snow work, and the dogs were as fine a pack as one could select for hard
sledging and rough times. Meares had had adventure in plenty when
selecting the dogs and told us modestly enough of his journeys across
Russia and Siberia in search of suitable animals. Scott was lucky to get
hold of such an experienced traveller as Meares, and the "Terra Nova"
gained by the inclusion of Lady Scott's brother, Wilfred Bruce, in the
Expedition. Wilfred Bruce was christened "Mumbo," and, although a little
older than the rest of the officers, he willingly took a subordinate
place, and Pennell, writing of him after the Expedition was finished,
said that he withheld his advice when it was not asked for and gave it
soundly when it was.

Lieut. Bruce joined Meares at Vladivostock, and he must have thought he
was joining a travelling circus when he ran into this outfit. Meares
crossed by Trans-Sibe