equipment and fixed up little surgical outfits for sledge parties. By the
time we arrived at Melbourne, our next port of call, a great deal had
been accomplished and people had a grasp of what was eventually expected
of them.

Scott left us again at Melbourne and embarked on yet another begging
campaign, whilst I took the ship on to Lyttelton, where the "Terra Nova"
was dry-docked with a view to stopping the leak in her bows. The decks,
which after her long voyage let water through sadly, were caulked, and
barnacles six inches long were taken from her bottom and sides. Whilst in
New Zealand all the stores were landed, sorted out and restowed. On a
piece of waste ground close to the wharves at Lyttelton the huts were
erected in skeleton in order to make certain that no hitch would occur
when they were put up at our Antarctic base. Davis, the carpenter, with
the seamen told off to assist him, marked each frame and joist, the
tongued and grooved boards were roughly 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.