SHIP COVE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 469, 30 March 1909, Page 3

SHIP COVE.

CAPTAIN COOK MEMORIAL. HISTORY AND PROGRESS OF THE MOVEMENT. " An endeavour to roach finality is being mado by tho committee which has in hand the proposed memorial to Captain Cook, to bo erected at tho picturesquo corner of Queen Charlotte Sound, Ship Cove, at which spot the great irrigator first landed, 139 years ago. Mattel's are now being pushed forward with a view to having-the memorial erected so that it can bo unveiled during the celebrations in connection with the anniversary of Marlborough, in November next. Strange to say, the proposal has only received a hike-warm support in Marlborough, whore, it might havo been it would have been taken up with enthusiasm. The idea of tho memorial was first mooted in 1905 by Mr. Robt. Ewing, jun., an old resident of the Sounds, and Mr. John Moore, formerly Government Stock Inspector at Blenheim. These two gentlemen, who were both in close touch with the Sounds, were of opinion that something should bo done to commemorate the landing of Captain Cook, and, soon after, the proposal took definite shape, and subscription lists were circulated throughout Marlborough. This first appeal realised about £20 in cash and promises, and then tho bottom apparently dropped out of tho scheme, and no more was heard of it for about two years. In 1907 a fresh start was made, and it was decided to call a public meeting and form a committee to push the scheme. This meeting was held, and with tho committee the sohome was given a fresh lease of life. The Blenheim "More Men Fund" Committee had a sum of £96 to its credit, but, nothing to do with it, :\nd tho Memorial Committee applied for and was given this money. Tne committee then approached the Government for a £ for £ subsidy, atfd tho Government agreed to subsidise subscriptions up to £100. The movement still lacked force, however, although a site had been practically chosen at Ship Cove, and the committee decided that the original decision to confine the movement to Marlborough should be abandoned, and the scheme should be mado a national one. Trouble then ensued over tho site for the memorial, the then Minister, Hon. R. M'Nab favouring Motuara Island, whilst others favoured a site in one of tho centres. The committee, however, urged that the monsy had been collected for Ship Covo, and, this being so, they could not alter tho site, more especially having regard to tho historical associations of the cove. The committee inspected Ship Cove, and selected a site for tho memorial, the position being on a grassy mound on the shore in tho exact spot the great explorer is supposed to have landed. The memorial will have a background of heavy bush, and will be flanked with bush and fern. Application was mado to the Homo authorities for one.of the guns carried in the Endeavour's time, and this has cometo hand, and is now stored in Picton. In the meantime, the committee had been working hard, and subscriptions slowly mounted up, including £25 from tho Union Company, £5 from His Excellency the Governor, £5 ss. from Mr. A. H. Turnbull, and £3 3s. each from the Huddart, Parker Company and Mr. J. Duncan, M.P., until over £300 is now in. sight. It has now been decided to call for competitive designs throughout New Zealand for tho monument, which is to bo erected at Ship Cove, to mark the landing-place of Captain Cook, and a bonus of ten guineas is being offered to the successful designer. Tho design is to bo bold in outline, and not less than 25ft. high, measured from tho foundation. Tho pedestal may have literal or symbolic illustration, or both, of the lifo of the great navigator, with especial bearing on his visits to New Zealand, his gifts of the fruits of civilised lifo to the Natives, and his peaceful and magnanimous methods in dealing with thorn. Tho funds available for tho monument will bo between £300 and £500, and'the committee will welcome suggestions as to the most suitable material with which to build the monument. Tho dates and duration of Cook's visits to Ship Covo were as follow.—First visit, first voyage, January 16 to February 7, 1770, 22 days; second visit, second voyage, May IS to Juno 7, 1773, 20 days; third visit, second voyage, November 3 to November 25, 1773, 22 days; fourth visit,, second voyage, October 18 to November 10, 1774, 23 days; fifth visit, third voyage, February 12 to February 25, 1777, 13 days. Total number of days in' Ship Cove, 100. ■ • . Ship's Cove is still practically in its natural state, the forest being in luxuriant growth to the water's edge, and'the cove is one of tho most eagerly-sought camping grounds in the Sounds. The covo and its surrounding bush have been reserved by the Crown because of their historic interest and natural beauty.