FIGUREHEAD OF THE HYDERABAD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3966, 9 July 1929, Page 3

FIGUREHEAD OF THE HYDERABAD.

AN INTERESTING RELIC. TO BE TRANSFERRED TO NAVAL BASE. Captain Larsen, Foxton Harbour Board pilot, has received the folloAAing letter from the 'Commander of tine ILM.S. Philomel, 'the N.Z. Naval training ship. “lI.M.'S. “Philoinlel” at DevonPrort, N.Z., 4th July, 1929. Dear Sir, —I am endeaA’Ouring to secure a collection _of figureheads of old ships Avifh NeAV Zealand history, and, up to date, have got- tAvo — “Moa” brig built in Auckland in 1849, and, “.St. Barnabas,” from H.M.S. “Southern Cross,” the 6th ship of her name to serve the Mission. I have also been promised another two in Auckland, and hope to obtain yet more. 2. These (figureheads which, as you knoAv, are rapidly becoming scarce and often are not appreciated'at their true value, are repaired by artisans in “Philomel,” painted and erected on concrete stands, and proA T ided with ’ brass plates giving history and name of donor.

3. The secretary, Waitara Harbour Board (Mr. Wood) informed me that he remembered having seen the figurehead of the ship “Hyderabad” 'in a garden at Foxton. If this is so, do you think the 'owners aa tould consider presenting it to the Naval Base for safe custodv.

4. This lestablishipent is the cradle of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy and we have, on the average, sixty (60) hoys under training, and anything of this nature tends to imbue these youngsters with a. sea spirit. 5. If the present owners would consent to give or loan this figurehead, could you by any chance, as a personal favour, to myself, have it sent to Auckland free of freight, or inform mie What method would require to he adopted to effect this.” The figurehead of the ‘‘Hyderabad" is in the garden of Mjrs. Andrew Johson, in the Avenue, which come into possession of her late husband at the time the vessel was dismantled. Another relie of ‘the Hyderabad, which rests at the gateway of Ihakara Garden is a small cannon. Mrs. Jonson has given her'consent to hand over the figurehead to the naval authorities for safe keeping. The figurehead is a striking piece of work and depicts the figure of an Indian Rajah in full garb (in defiant attitude, with upraised arm and scimitar held aloft. Long exposure to the weather has robbed (lie figurehead of its pristine beauty, but when restored to its original adornment, it will make one of the most interesting exhibits in the .collection. The commander of the “Philomel” is to he commended for his endeavour to collect such interesting relies which cannot fail to five the imagination, of our naval cadets and keep alive the traditions of brave mien and stirring adventure of tho'se who “go down to the sea in ships.” Probably the Railway Authorities if approached would provide free carriage from Foxton to Auckland of the figurehead.