SCOTT, Robert Falcon (1868-1912). Autograph letter signed ('R. Scott') to Sir Richard Poore, 4th Bart (commander-in-chief, Australian Station), Christchurch, New Zealand, 22 November 1910, one page, 4to, printed heading of British Antarctic Exepdition, stamp and two annotations by recipient.

SCOTT, Robert Falcon (1868-1912). Autograph letter signed ('R. Scott') to Sir Richard Poore, 4th Bart (commander-in-chief, Australian Station), Christchurch, New Zealand, 22 November 1910, one page, 4to, printed heading of British Antarctic Exepdition, stamp and two annotations by recipient.

THE DISMISSAL OF A VETERAN OF THE DISCOVERY EXPEDITION. Scott writes a 'private note under the exceptional circumstances' of his dismissal of Thomas Feather, boatswain of the Terra Nova: 'Mr Feather has only one suit of uniform and for this and other reasons, he is anxious to get home at the earliest opportunity. As I said I am very desirous to meet his wishes in view of the heavy punishment of his dismissal'; he concludes 'All our arrangements are going on well'.

Feather had occupied the same position on the Discovery expedition, and accompanied Scott on the Western Journey; Mount Feather in the Quartermain Mountains is named after him. Scott had then praised him as 'a thorough seaman, [who] took that intense pride in his charge which was so well known in the old sailing days'; he reportedly discharged Feather from the Terra Nova as a result of friction between him and Lieutenant Henry Rennick.