THE RACE FOR AKAROA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16419, 13 January 1919, Page 6

THE RACE FOR AKAROA.

TO THE EDITOB 0? "THI FKSS." Sir,—l read with some surprise the leading article in your issue of January 9th, 1919, entitled, Tho Race for Akaroa," showing that the late Hon. R. McNab and Mr Johannes Andersen had proved conclusively in 190< that there had been no race, and that tho tablet to Captain Stanley in the Christchurch Cathedral is worded incorrectly. First of all, ifc would bo interesting to know why these gentlemen, 67 years after the event, should bo better qualified to judge than those who were participants. These latter historians wish to show the late Dean of Westminster was quite misinformed when he had tho tablet erected to commemorate his brother s smart achievement as Commander of the Britomart. Also, it would appear that the Akaroa County and Borough residents wore making a mistake when, in 1897, they erected a monument to mark the snot where Captain Stanley hoisted the flag. Certainly no doubt was cast upon tho story then, and it will bo remembered that Lord Ranfurly then Governor, and the late Mr R. J. Seddon, Prem'er of New Zealand, considered tho occasion important enough to warrant their presenco at the function. The late Hon. R. McNab and Mr Anderson claim that the documents of the time prove their denial of tho raco, and I noto that you quote Governor Hobson's secret letter of instructions to Captain Stanley. In 1913 the late Mr F. A. Anson, who had himself read this letter, wrote to your columns a long letter, in which was incorporated the despatch. I cannot presume upon your spaco for a repetition of Mr Anson's letter, though it was the result of vory much earnest research, and an account of its interesting nature was published in the third edition of "Tales of Banks Peninsula." I would ask you to publish in full the secret letter of instruction which passed betwen Governor Hobson and Captain Stanley in 1840. This document shows cloarly that there was a race. There is no doubt Captain Hobson did not consider Major Bunbury's declaration sufficient for the occasion. In connexion with this matter, as you quote "The Press" filos of 1907, I would like to draw your attention to your files of October. 1909, in which you stated definitely that Mr Johannes Andersen's theory that thore had been no raco was quite incorrect. I must apologise for the length of this letter, hut I have spent somo time over historical work, and am as anxious as Mr Johannes Andersen to have the true story recorded. It seems wise bofore deciding that all the old records are faulty, and that people forty years ago knew loss than wo do in 1919, to he quite certain on all points. No doubt there have been mistakes in tho matter of dates, but tho arrival of Commodoro Lavaud in the frigate L'Aube caused Captain Hobson to send the Britomart to Akaroaj and at the time of the Christchurch Exhibition in 1906-7, this incident was considered sufficiently important to warrant the Imperial Government in sending out a model gun of the Britomart, which now is mounted on the Britomart Resorvo, near the Akaroa wharf. Certainly all this notice would not have been taken of tho Britomart's voyage to Akaroa in 1840, had she only carried two magistrates, as Captain Hobson says, was the "ostensible purpose" of tho hurried voyage. Mr Johannes Andersen is confusing the "ostensiblo purpose" with the real object of the mission. Thanking you for your valuable space.—Yours, etc., E. M. JACOBSON. Akaroa, January lltli, 1919. TOur correspondent has missed - the point of our article, which is, that the discovery of Govornor Hobson's secret letter of instruction by our London correspondent, in 1910, and Mr McNab's researcher* in the French naval records, about 1913, disclosed new facts which were notknown to any of tho authorities quoted above, including "The Press," in 1909. Governor Hobson's letter shows that he wanted Captain Stanley to reach Akaroa before the French, in order to strengthen the British position. It takes at least two, however, to make a "race," and the French records, according to Mr McNab, show that Captain Lavaud recognised tho fact that British sovereignty had already been established by Governor Hobson's proclamation. delivered by Major Bttnbury, and ho in ado no attempt to challenge it.—Ed. "The Press."]