COOK MEMORIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1569, 27 September 1905, Page 2

COOK MEMORIAL.

QUESTION OF SITE FINALLY SETTLED.

TO GO ON KAITI BEACH.

Once more the .question of the site of the proposed monument to Capt. Cook has been discussed by the Borough Council, and is pleasing to state that the decision of the Cook Memorial Committee has been respected, and that the obelisk will be orected on the Kaiti Beach, as near as possible to mark the first landing place of the great navigator in New Zealand. The matter came before the Borough Council at its meeting laet evening, when the notice of motion to rescind the previous decision of the Counoil, refusing permission to put it on the Kaiti beach road, came up for consideration. The motion was moved by Cr Sheridan

and seconded by Or Webb. Cr Whinray made a strong protest against tbe previous resolution of tbe Council being rescinded. He considered the Council had aoted wisely in refusing to grant permission to put tbe obelisk on the road. He predicted a great future for Gisborne, when tbe whole of the Kaiti beach road would be built upon, and every available foot of ground would be required for the purpose of harbor and other works. There would be tramways t running round tbe beach, and the road would be all too small,for traffic require- . ments.

The Mayor twitted Cr Whinray with the faot that he had changed his ground since the previous meeting, when he had stated that the locality was a most objectionable one, and that on account of its insanitary character do one would vhit it. His Worship considered that every argument used that evening by Cr Whinray was distinctly in favor of permission being granted to the committee to plaoe the memorial on the beach. He (the Mayor) thought the - obelisk would add to the attractions of the spot and be *' a thing of beauty and a joy for ever.” The Council Bhould do ail in tneir power to assistihe committee. Cr Colley supported Cr Whinray, oon-A#< siderihg that all the road space on the' Kaiti beaoh was required for publio pue-JT poses, . v"'

Tbe motion was oarried by five to two, Ors Whinray aud Colley voting againßt it. Cr Sheridan then moved that permission bo granted to the committee, to put i. the obelisk on tbe road. Tbe persons who subscribed tbe money desired that the memorial should go there, end as they wore the ohief parties concerned, the Council should not stand in their way. Or Webb seconded the resolution. Cr Whinray strongly objected, as he desired to save tbe Council from what he regarded as a very foolish position. Cr Harding said; that as tbe Cook Memorial Committee wero unanimous in regard to the memorial going on the bssoh be would not be one to refuse them permission, although bo considered that many better sites could have been seleoted. In bis opinion tbe committee, were very bad judges, and might have done much better.

After further disoussion, the motion granting permission was put to the meeting and carried by five votes to two, Ors Whinray and Colley voting against it.