THE CHRISTCHURCH MYSTERY.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 992, 11 September 1903, Page 2

THE CHRISTCHURCH MYSTERY.

Per Press Association. Christchurch, last night. The search for tho Rev. J. M. Marshall was continued to-day without result. An other search of the Biver Heathcote will be made to morrow, and if nothing is found the police will abandon tbe search. COOK MEMORIAL FUND. COMPETITIVE DESIGNS TO BE CALLED FOB MEMORIAL. A meeting of the Cook Memorial Fund Committee was held yesterday afternoon, the Bev. Herbert Williams presiding. The following members were present: Mesdatnes Townley and Coleman, His Worship tho Mayor (Mr J. Townley), Messrs W. Webb, J Rosie, G. W. Sampson, C. H. W. Dixon, F. Harris, and W. J. P. Gaudin (Secretary). COOK’S COVE.

The Tolago Bay Committee wrote stating that the residents of Tolago were anxious to reserve a hundred acres in the

vicinity of Cook’s Cove and Cook’s Well, and asked the co-operation of the General Committee.

The Chairman, who had recently visited Tolago Bay, said that he was informed by one of the residents that Mr Shrimpton, a member of the East Coast Native Trust Board, had stated that the Board had not power to reserve the land. Mr Gaudin said that this was quite opposite to the view taken by Messrs Harding and Macfarlane, both of whom stated that the reserves would bo set aside. He thought the Government should be asked to secure a hundred acres.

Mr Sampson thought the Tourist Department should be approached on the question. It was decided that the Government and Tourist Department should be written to asking them to take steps to secure a hundred acres and set it aside as a reserve. SITE OF MEMORIAL. The Land Committee recommended that Captain Tucker's offer of an acre on Kaiti Hill overlooking the landing place, should be accepted. Satisfactory arrange ments could be made for a right of way. Mr E. P. Joyce, a subscriber to the fund, who was present at the meeting, asked to be allowed to say a few words. He strongly advocated that the memorial to Captain Cook should be placed in some central part of the town. He was sure that this would meet with the wishes of the public. The Secretary pointed out that most of the subscriptions had been received on the understanding that the actual landing place, or, as near as possible thereto, should be selected as the site for the memorial. Whilst sympathising with Mr Joyce’s proposal, he did not think it wise to depart from the original idea. The Chairman was also of this opinion. He did not think it advisable to depart from the original proposal. Mr Sampson said that nine-tenths of

the subscriptions had been received on the understanding that the memorial was to go as near to the landing place as possible. The report of the Land Committee was adopted. COMPETITIVE DESIGNS. The Chairman thought that a prize should be offered for competitive designs, and after some discussion it was decided to offer the sum of £25 for the best design of a memorial, to cost £IOOO and to include a tablet with the names of the members of the contingents who went to South Africa from Poverty Bay, the designs to be in the hands of the committee before March 31st next, and the competition an open one.

Mr Williams said that whilst on this question he would like to point out that it was not the intention of the committee to be in too great a hurry in regard to the erection of a memorial. In a previous address he had pointed this out, and it was the committee’s intention to go slowly and produce a good article, rather than do something on immature consideration which would be found to be ill-advised. He thought they should give at least six months for competitors to furnish designs.

Mr Sampson : Let us get as many designs as we can, The Chairman : If we spend a thousand pounds let us take our time and do it well, COOK’S DAY. As Cook’s Day this year falls on a Thursday it was decided to approach the Railway Department and arrange for an excursion to Kaitaratahi, the Holiday Committee to be also asked to declare a whole holiday,