Swift Pilgrimage

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 491, 22 October 1928, Page 13

Swift Pilgrimage

Sir James Parrs Dash From Geneva CAPTAIN COOK 81-CENTENARY Recently the High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, made a record dash from Geneva to two nmall towns in the North of England. Ho was attending the League of Nations Conference at Geneva, when

he suddenly rushed from Switzerland to attend the pilgrimage to Great Ayton and Marton in celebration of the bi-centcnary of Captain Cook. Sir James took only 48 hours off from Geneva to be present at the celebration and

then just as quickly returned to the League’s deliberations. English newspapers remarked that something very important must have happened to cause the High Commissioner to make this sudden trip. It did. Sir James was particularly anxious to make the pilgrimage so that he should be present with other wellknown men to pay tribute to the great navigator who literally "put New’ Zealand on the map.” CapSain James Cook was born at Marton. but the old cottage has long since disappeared. Its site is now marked with a granite vase, set in a park. At the Cook celebration Sir James spoke of New Zealand’s gratitude to Captain Cook and pictured the Dominion as Cook must have first seen it. Sir George Fuller, agent-general for New South Wales, Sir Hugh Bell and Vice-Admiral Sir Hubert Richmond were among the important visitors.