In case you choose to wait in a spot somewhat remote from Hut Point I am arranging to attract your attention in the following manner:—­Very’s lights will be discharged and as large a flare as possible will be burnt at Hut Point at midnight or noon (you will remember we are keeping time for 180th meridian).

As large a flag as possible will be displayed on the skyline of the heights near by, and attempts to heliograph with a looking-glass will be made.

With a keen lookout for such signals you need not frequently approach the Hut.

In the above I have referred to the young ice in the Sound only; there is no means of knowing what is happening farther north, but I am of opinion that as long as the “Terra Nova” is free to move in the Southern Bays, she will have no great difficulty in leaving the Ross Sea.

You will understand that the foregoing remarks are intended as helpful suggestions and that I do not wish them to interfere with your judgment of the situation as it stands; above all, I would not have them to prompt you to take a risk in detaining the ship beyond the time which you think proper for her departure.  I fully realise that at this critical time, when gales are very frequent, your position will be beset with difficulties, and I much regret that it is necessary to ask you to undertake such an uncomfortable service.

Apart from, but concurrently with, the services which have been discussed, I know that you will be anxious to help forward the scientific objects of the Expedition.  Having regard to your interests in such matters, they also are left mainly to your judgment, and I wish only to specify some lines on which any soundings taken would be especially important.

These seem to be: 

1.  In the space occupied by the old Glacier Tongue (some two miles of the Tongue was broken off last summer). 2.  Across the Sound in one or two places to give a section of the bottom elevations. 3.  Across any fiords on the coast such as the Ferrar Glacier Inlet. 4.  Off the end of ice tongues or the edge of ice walls. 5.  Off the old pinnacled ice north of Black Island. 6.  From a boat near the Barne Glacier. 7.  From a boat around grounded bergs.

I have now to mention various matters of lesser importance to which I should like attention given if time and circumstances permit.

1.  The Hut Galley is not in a very satisfactory condition.  I should like Williams to overhaul it and try to make it more serviceable for a second season.

2.  The coast of Victoria Land has been redrawn over the “Discovery” track.  I should be glad to have definite evidence on this point.  Any replotting of coast will of course be valuable.

3.  Boot-leather, stout boot-nails, and useful paper are requirements which I hope you will be able to supply sufficiently for a second season.

4.  The only want for the second season which I can foresee is reindeer pelts for repairing sleeping-bags.  I very much fear you will not have brought any:  anything you can provide to make good the want would be acceptable.