HOBSON'S GRAVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 215, 10 September 1940, Page 8

HOBSON'S GRAVE.

MEMORIAL SERVICE. ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE MADE. 1 Citizens of Auckland, both young and old, gathered at the graveside of New Zealand's lirst Governor, Captain William Hobson, R.X., at the Symonds Street Cemetery this afternoon to mark the sixteenth annual pilgrimage to the grave of a man who had played a notable part in the history of Xew Zealand. The service wa* arranged by Mr. Spenceley Walker, a former headmaster of the New Central School. Children representative of every school in Auckland were present, and officc-l>earers from the Xavy League A number of wreaths were placed on the grave, one being a laurel wreath from the City Council.

An address appropriate to the occasion was given by the Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, who said that it was a most appropriate occasion for the annual pilgrimage to a historic and sacred shrine, as it was just 100 years this month since Captain William Hobson arrived in the Waiteniata and established Auckland as the capital of the colony of New Zealand, naming it after his" patron, Lord Auckland, who had been a First Lord of the Admiralty. His fragrant memory would last as*long as the city did, growing keener as time went on. Sir Ernest referred to the life of Captain Hobson in the British Xavy, and added that in Auckland his name was preserved in various wavs. but many felt that Auckland should have a statue of Hobson, and he hoped that some day that would be erected. He understood that shortly Auckland would receive some priceless belongings of Hobson, which would be treasured bv the community. Sir Eixest said that manv tributes had been paid to Captain Hobson. but perhaps the finest of all was that of the Maoris, who sent a petition to Queen Victoria couched in thc-e memorable words: 'Let not the new Governor be a l.ov or one .lulled up; let not a troublcY cine amongst us. Let bin |, P a „ood man like thh Governor who has "fast died." J Other speakers included Bishop Li<ton and the Kev. A. B. Chappell.