CAPTAIN COOK

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1928, Page 1

CAPTAIN COOK

MARLBOROUGH CELEBRATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association). BLENHEIM, Oet. 27. In commemoration of Captain Cook’s birth, there was an excursion to-day, under the auspices of the Captain Cook Memorial Committee, to Ship Cove, a favourite haven of the famous : navigator. Some fifty people journeyed to the historic spot. Mr W. G. Girling represented the Government; Mr .T. L. Jones, the poi't of Picton ; and Mr R. P. Furness (President), the Cook Memorial Committee. The first part ’of the proceedings was the unveiling of two cannons of Cook’s period, presented by the British Admiralty. These wer placed in position at the /base of the monument erected at the Cove. The ceremony Was performed by Mr Girling, speeches also being delivered by Messrs Jones and Furness. The latter made interesting references to links in the chain, starting from the discovery of New Zealand by Tasman to the present day. Cook formed the link between Tasman and the Tasman flyers. One -hundred years after Tasman discovered New Zealand, Cook ran away to Sea. About 200 years after Cook’s jbirth, almost to a month, the Tasman Sea had been crossed by air. It was not generally known that Smith and TJlm flew the Southern Cross over Ship Cove, and encircled the bays in the vicinity while picking up their bearings on ther arrival ovei New Zealand, before appearing over Wellington. It was at Ship Cove, when unveiling the present monument, that Lord Liverpool received a wireless giving the news of Captain Scott’s glorious achievement and death in the Antarctic. This message was picked up by the Tutanekai in Ship Cove. LONDON, Oct. 27.

Among a mass of wreaths placed without, ceremony during drizzline rain on Captain Cook’s statue at the Admiralty Arch were the Commonwealth wreath by Mr Trutable and New Zealand’s by Sir Jas. Parr.

TRIBUTE TO COOK. (Received this dav at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 27. “Hail Yorkshire from far New Zealand,” wired Sir J. Parr in response to a Saltburn request for a Cook celebration message. He added that when Cook landed on the beautifu 1 shores of New Zealand it was a land of mountain, forest and lake, populated with fierce savages. Cook plant ed the English flag and made New Zealand British forever. New Zealand to-day, perhaps, is the most interesting, and certainly the most fertile and productive of all the great Dominions. AH this was due to the humbly horn Yorkshire lad, who loved the beautiful new country lie discovered. Every New Zealnder revere* Cook as one of the greatest of Englishmen.

COOK 81-CENTENARY. LONDON, Oct. 27. Captain Cook bi-centenary wav marked by a great gathering at Hyde Park, which centred upon the Cook statue, a naval .party and scouts participating. Speakers included Lieut.Governor Cullen, Chief Justice Street. Attorney-General Boyce and Sir Joseph Carruthers.