COOK MEMORIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 464, 5 July 1902, Page 2

COOK MEMORIAL.

MOVEMENT ENTHUS I AST I CALLV TAKEN CP.

SUBSCRIPTION LIST OPENED. Judging by the enthusiasm manifested at the meeting called last evening at the Cosmopolitan Club Rooms, lo consider the question of the erection of a permanent memorial lu mark the first landing place of Captain Cook in New Zealand, the movement promises lo he a most popular one, and the strong committee that lias been formed is a good indication that the proposal will he carried 10 a successful! issue. The Rev. Herbert Williams presided, and in introducing the subject said that it was a great oversight in the past that no memorial had been erected to commemorate the fact that Gisborne was the lirst landing place of Captain Cook. 'There was not in the colony a memorial .0 England's great navigator, and it was therefore most lilting that one should he erected on the spot where he first landed.. 'They were met that evening to see il they could not arrive at something definite in the matter, and it was proposed to lix affairs in such a way that every one should subscribe. It was an important matter, and one of the deepest; interest, not only to Gisborne, hut to the whole of the colony lie might even say of importance to the whole of the British Empire. “We do not want to pat ourselves on the hack,” remarked the rev. gentleman, “ hut we are part of the British Empire, and Captain Cook was an important scion of the Empire, and if we can get at people outside we should receive a fair amount of support. Evt*n if we do not get much in the. Way of subscriptions, the moral support will help us

along a little hit. We require this evening to put. the mw.t/lcr in a definite shape, and it does not matter how long we take to carry il out. H may lie a year or two, or even more. Speaking for myself, J should rather see it go slowly, and erect a memorial worthy of mention titan we should have a ginger-bread one. Mr Gaudin endorsed the remarks made by the Chairman, and predicted that the movement would he most popularly taken up outside of Gisborne distiict. What was required was that a strong committee should be appointed, and that the matter should he steadily pushed ahead. Mr F. Harris made an excellent speech in support of the movement, and concluded by moving the following resolution: (1) “ That steps be taken to erect a permanent memorial to mark the first landing place in New Zealand of Captain James Cook, and that a committee he appointed for the purpose of carrying the same Into effect; (2) that the Committee consist, of the following : His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Townley), Hon. James Carroll, Rev." H. Williams," Father Mulvihill, Rev. J. G. Paterson, Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., Messrs T Adair, W. Gaudin, F. Harris, A. F. Kennedy, W. Webb, R. N. Jones, J. Itosie, J. G. Cox, and Rowley (Headmaster of the Gisborne school).,’ The resolution was seconded by Mr Gaudin, and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr It. N. Jones, it was decided that the committee should have power to add to their number. 'The Chairman mentioned that apologies for non-attendance had been received from two members of the committee, Messrs W. A. Barton and A. F. Kennedy, and each gentleman had spoken approvingly of the project and contributed a guinea to the funds. The Rev. IT. Williams was appointed Chairman of the Committee. On the motion of Mr T. Adair, Mr Gaudin was appointed secretatary. 111 moving the resolution, Mr Adair expressed the pleasure he felt in seeing that something was likely to he done to secure a memorial to mark the first landing place of Captain Cook in Gisborne. He would do all in his power to assist the movement, as he tecogmsed that it would he one of the very best advertisements that Gisborne could have. The Rev. Herbert Williams and Mr W. A.- Barton, S.M., were appointed treasurers.Mr R. N 1 'Jones said that the member for the district, Mr Carroll, would do all in his- power to assist, as ho heartily approved of the movement. On the motion of Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Webb, the secretary was authorised to approach the Government in order to get assistance from that quarter, After discussion of a general character, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman, and the meeting terminated,

TI-IE SUBSCRIPTION LIST,THE FIRST CONTRIBUTORS. The Secretary of the Cook Memorial Fund acknowledges with thanks the following contributions G.G. Is, N. McC. is, Rev, 11, Williams I Os, T.‘ Adair £1 Is, Frank Harris 10s, rj. if. Cox 2s (id, W. A. Barton £1 Is, A. F. Kenned}- £j is, R. N. Jones £1 ls,_ W. Webb 10s, Total, £5 18s 6d. Subscriptions will be received by any. member of the Committee, who will ackowledge the same through the Times.