Scott statue still poles apart from walking shaft

A special brass fitting at the base of the walking pole grasped by Robert Falcon Scott remains missing following an attack on the central city statue of the Antarctic explorer.

Vandals damaged the statue in October, only weeks after it was unveiled following a lengthy, post-earthquake restoration.

The brass pole was snapped off and left in two pieces in a nearby garden bed, where the thin shafts were found by Council staff.

However, the round basket fitting at the base of the pole has never been found.

Repairs are under way to the damaged pole on the Robert Falcon Scott statue.

Pole repairs are under way but sculptor Mark Whyte needs to recreate the basket fitting, making a mould and casting the brass.

“As we are casting a ‘new’ replica, a variation to the current resource consent will need to be sought and approved before work can start,” Council Head of Parks Brent Smith says.

“The vandal damage was bitterly disappointing and the situation was exacerbated by the need to gain a new resource consent. A great deal of effort has gone into this project, so it’s important that we continue to recognise the city’s symbolic link to Antarctica.”

The 2.5-tonne statue was toppled by the February 2011 earthquake, breaking as it hit the ground.

Meanwhile, minor earthquake repairs to the statue’s marble chips are nearing completion.

The statue – minus its signature pole – will again be open to public viewing by Christmas at the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Terrace.