COOK MEMORIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 482, 23 July 1902, Page 2

COOK MEMORIAL.

Tho Committee of tho Cook Memorial Fund have already sent out upwards of a hundred letters to residents in this disirict and throughout tho colony inviting support to the movement. Tho headmasters of the schools in tin's district have also been written to, asking them to set aside a day to givo a special losson on Captain Cook’s landing in Povorty Bay, and at the same timo invito subscriptions of a penny and upwards from tho pupils. In this way, it is hoped to considerably augment the fund. Several of the headmasters have replied to tho communications approving of the suggestion.

CAPTAIN TUCKER OFFERS A SITE To tho Secretary, Cook Memorial. Sir,-—! entirely agree with your proposal to erect a statue or monument to commemorato Captain Cook’s landing in Now Zealand. Ido not doubt that you will receive even more money than you require, for I think it is not only a coloniul but a j national matter, the present, I think, being an opportuno timo to bring tho subject to tho attention of the British public. No doubt Mr Carroll, if asked, would onlist the sympathies of the House, aud pass a resolution affirming the desirability of the monument, and Mr Seddon would, I feel certain, lay the samo before tho Homo authorities and obtain their sanction to the scheme, and also add bis own personal weight to it. Tho actual sito of Captain Cook’s landing is now either covered or fast being covered by reclamation on tho cast sido of tho breakwater. That seoms to me a desirable place for tho purposo, and it might be extended by further artificial reclamation, tho material being taken from the bill close by. If you have any difficulty about a site for a statuo I shall bo very glad to give you one. Of eourso I know full well this will cost mo nothing, for there will be such disputes as to tho various conflicting sites, and so much ill-feeling and bickering engendered, that ultimately it would bo quite graceful of me to withdraw iny proposed site in favor of the other candidates. —Yours faithfully, W. H. Tucker.

DISCUSSED AT COUNCIL, A LADY'S SUGGESTION. At the meeting of the Borough. Council last night, the subject of Die Cook Memorial was discussed. Hie Mayor stated that shortly they would probably have to consider some memorial in connection with the part the colony had taken in the war, and he thaught it might, be possible that Die two movements could be made to work together, There was to the credit ot the Contingent Fund a sum of £665, which was on fixed deposit, and would be available from Jaudary 6th next. There could he nothing done yet in regard to that until they, had ascertained whether there would be any claims against it. His Worship mentioned that an excellent suggestion had been made to him by Mrs Sampson to augment the Cook Memorial fund, and increase the interest In the movement. She was willing to send a circular to all the Education Boards in the colony requesting tljem to make the movement a colonial one, and to ask the school children to each contribute a penny stamp. They, might get the Government to deliver the letters free, and with pennies from twenty thousand school children there would be a substantial financial result.

Councillors warmly approved of the movement, Cr Whinray saying that it was an admirable one, and he wished "it every success, Cr Kennedy said, that he was sure the Cook Memorial Committee would lie glad of the suggestion. Cr Lysnar said that all, the local authorities should 'Join in the movement, and give it the weight of their support. i Cr Miller spoke in approving , terms of Mrs 1 , Sampson’s suggestion. After further discussion in approval of the Cook Memorial, it was resolve’ on the motion of Cr Miller, .sec-” : by Cr Hepburn, that the Council port the movement, sanction:- ' "Sampson’s suggestion, • and would every assistance to carry it out.