COOK MEMORIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 486, 28 July 1902, Page 3

COOK MEMORIAL.

FIRST MEETING OF COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the commit.teo of the Cook Memorial Fund was held on Saturday afternoon, at the Native College, the Rev. 11. Williams presiding. The minutes of the public meeting were read and confirmed, and the secretary, Mr Oaudin, gave a brief report as to steps which had been taken to collect subscriptions. One hundred and forty-three letters had been sent out to various persons throughout tiic district and colony and already a numb er of replies together .with observations had been received, ’A letter had been sent to the headmasters of the public schools in the district, asking that a special lesson on the landing of Captain Cook,in Poverty Day should he given, and also that subscriptions of a penny and upwards should he made. Several of the teachers had written,- approving of the suggestion, and promising to do all they could to support the movement/

CORRESPONDENCK. Tho incoming correspondence ineludod lottors from Sir W. Russoll, Hie Lordship Bishop Williams, Hon. C. W. Mills, Hon. James Carroll, Rov, Canon Fox, Rev. W. Wolsh, Dr Colo, Dr Williams, Messrs W. Sievwright, C. A. DoLautour, W. Webb, W. H. Tucker, Kennedy and Evans. Tho writers expressed their hearty sympathy with tho movement, and forwarded subscriptions.

POSTAGE AND EXCHANGE. It was docidod, on the motion of Mr W. A. Barton, that an acknowledgment in tho daily press bo a sufficient roply. The question of postago on letters was discussed, and it was decided to make appli-

cation to the Postmastor-General for permission to frank all letters in connection with tho fund, also that all monies bo re-

mitted free of charge. It was also decided that tho banking institutions bo asked to

forego exchange on cheques.

CAPTAIN TUCKER'S OFFER. Discussion took place in regard to tho actual landing placo of Captain Cook, and in connection with tho samo a letter was read from Captain Tucker, offoring a site for a statue.

The Chairman said that from time to time there had boon a movement to pro-

cure tho Kaiti Hill as a park, and he hoped to soo offorts in this direction ronowod.

Ho would liko the committee to got as much as possible of tho Kaiti Hill. As

far as the site of the monument was con

corned, he thought it should bo placed at a point jußt abovo whero Captain Cook lanciod, and whore a small cottage now

stood. Mr Barton said that Mr Lysnar and

himself had reported on tho locality some time back, but on account of the funds not boing available nothing could bo done in tho way of purchasing a portion of tho

hill. Tho Chairman; Wo could call it Cook

Park. Mr Barton : That would bo an excellent

namo for it. Tho Secretary thought that every effort should bo made to acquire all land in tho vicinity of tho beach. Ho thought tho placo could bo made a voritable Paradiso. Mr W. Webb thought that Captain Tuckor was deserving of tho thanks of tho committee for his generous offer. Mr J. Rosie said tho committoo should aim at a high ideal in tho matter of beautifying tho Kaiti beach. Ho suggested that Captain Tuckor bo written to thanking him for his kind offer. The following motion was unanimously agreed to, " That a committee consisting of Rov. 11. Williams, and Messrs W. A. Barton, and W. J. P. Gaudin bo appointed to examine the ground, and approach Captain Tuckor with regard to his offer of 9 sito, and also with a view of acquiring as much of tho Kaiti Hill as could bo obtained.” MRS SAMPSON'S SUGGESTIONS.

Mrs F. Sampson wroto suggesting that tho memento should be placed sufficiently high to bo soon from tho Bay and entrance to the rivor ; also that the fund should bo o Colonial ono, and provide for the purchase of Cook’s Cove at Tolago Bay, The writor submitted a numbor of proposals in regard to tho preparation of circulars to bo sent to newspapers in tho colony, local bodies, and school committees. On tho motion of tho Rov. 11. Williams, it was agrood, “ That Mrs Sampson bo thanked for her suggestions, and bo invited to become a member of tho general committee.” Tho Secretary was also instructed to arrango with Mrs Sampson for tho formation of a committoo of ladies.

VOTE FROM I’AUWAME.VT,

Tho Secretary said that tho public meeting had urged that representations should bo made to Parliament for a vote in aid of tho fund ; but prior to doing so, ho thought it best to write to each member of tho House,inviting his support. He had received a telegram from tho Hon. James Carroll the previous evening, asking information as to tho probable cost of the memorial.

Tho Rev. H. 'Williams thought that the monument alone would cost .£IOOO, and (,hon there was the question of tho land to he considered. At least ,£2OO would bo required to do up tho ground. After a lengthy discussion it Avas decided to forward tho following telegram to Mr Carroll : “ Tho Committco thank you | for tho kindly interest you arc taking in the Cook memorial. A sub committco has been appointed to enquire into tho cost of tho <wound, and it is intended to acquire as ' much of Kaiti hill as possible. Committee arc very anxious that tho monument AShould bo a good one, and it will probably /eisb at least /1000. Seeing that tho movement is a national one, wo hopo that Parliament will sec its way to vote at least £SOO, or givo subsidy.” ij.'ho secretary was instructed to make application to Parliament for a vote in terms of the telegram forwarded to Mr Carroll. Mr and Mrs Sampson and Dr Williams ' were elected members of the General Committee. It waa decided that tho next meeting of the Committee be held on Friday evening gest, when a lull attendance ie requested

A LETTER FROM THE NORTH. Mr F. Gaudin, “ Silverdale,” Hamilton, writes :—Sydney has a memorial erected to the memory of tho great navigator, the inaugurator of marine surveying, not only of the Pacific Ocean—at that time a nearly unknwn part of the world—hut from pole to pole, and that in craft to which in comparison our coastal vessels would uppear as Leviathans, ft would he hard, indeed, for the present generation to realise the hardships and privations to which tho hardy discovers of a century and a quarter ago were subjected. Yet notwithstanding tho hurry and hustle of colonial progress, it must he refreshings the shade of James Cook to see thriving settlers of his own race doing honor to his memory in a port and country to which, in a moment of disappointment, he gave tho name of Poverty Bay, lam quite sure thut the movement which the Gisborno people have happily inaugurated will receive the sympathy of every New Zealander. I will he glad to subscribe my mite, and assist your movement to the best of my ability.”