From time to time Meares may be visiting the station, and I hope that by this means, or through the telephone, you may receive information as to the progress of the Southern Party.

The thawing of the drifts in summer will have to be carefully watched and such measures as are necessary taken to avoid injury to the Hut and the stores.  Cases should not be exposed to wet or tins to rust.

The breaking of the sea ice should be carefully watched, noted, and reported to Hut Point when possible.

Bowers will leave notes with you concerning store requirements and desirable expenditure.  I anticipate the ship may have some difficulty in reprovisioning the station.  You will of course render all the assistance you can.

Details as to the improvement of the Hut for a second winter will become more evident as the season advances.  In addition to the probable renovation of the stables I can only suggest the following points at present: 

1.  An extension or rebuilding of the entrance porch so that the outer door faces north.  Regard must be had to the possibility of bringing sledges into hut. 2.  A shelter extension to latrine. 3.  The construction of an air-tight embankment or other device at the base of the hut walls to keep the floor warmer. 4.  The betterment of insulation in your corner, and the provision of a definite air inlet there. 5.  The caulking of small holes and slits in the inner roof. 6.  The whale boat should be looked to and probably filled with water under advice from ship.

After departure of Southern Party all mattresses and bedding should be rolled up, and as opportunity occurs they should be thoroughly dried in the sun.

You will remember that as the summer advances certain places in the solid floe become dangerously weak.  It should be well to keep watch on such places, especially should they occur on the road to Hut Point, over which parties may be travelling at any time.  It is probable there will be a rearrangement of the currents in the region of Tent Island since the breaking of the Glacier Tongue.

(Signed) R.F.  Scott.

III.—­INSTRUCTIONS LEADER OF WESTERN PARTY.

1911.  The objects of your journey have been discussed, and need not here be particularised.  In general they comprise the Geological exploration of the coast of Victoria Land.

Your party will consist of Debenham, Gran, and Forde, and you will cross the Sound to Butter Point on or about October.

You will depart from Butter Point with provision as under: 

11 weeks’ pemmican. 10 gallons oil. 18 weeks’ remainder. 25 lb. cooking fat.

and make along the coast to Granite Harbour.  You will leave at Butter Point two weeks’ provision for your party, for use in case you are forced to retreat along the coast late in the season, and for the same eventuality you will depot a week’s provision at Cape Bernacchi.