LINK WITH THE PAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1922, Page 9

LINK WITH THE PAST.

CAPT. COOK’S GRAND-NEPHEW. DEATH OF INTERESTING FIGURE. A nonagenarian, Mr. William Cook, in whom was centred a most interesting link with the earliest history of New Zealand, passed away at Avondale (Auckland) the other day. Mr. Cook, who had reached the age of 97, was a grandson of the youngest brother of Captain James Cook, the great navigator, who was the first European to land on New Zealand soil. Mr. Cook's mother was a sister of Sir George Bowen, who was Governor of New Zealand from 1863 until 1878. Mr. Cook, who had resided with his daughter, Mrs. C. Peters, of Blake Street, Avondale, for some years, was born in a little village just outside Portsmouth, England. From early boyhood he wished to be a soldier, and while still in his teens he joined the volunteers. This not proving exciting enough, he went to Ireland and joined the 47th Regiment in Richmond Barracks, Dublin. While there the Crimean War broke out, and young Cook exchanged into the 13th Regiment, which was ordered for active service. A period of training with the Regiment at Colchester followed. Arriving at last at the Crimea, Mr. Cook had a year and 11 months of an existence which could hardly be called life. In speaking in after years of the unsatisfactory- conditions that existed during that strenuous time, Mr. Cook stated that so inadequate were the arrangements that he and many of hie fel-low-soldiers went a full 12 months without a change of clothing. It was not until after the arrival of Miss Florence Nightingale that matters were put on a better footing. Mr. Cook frequently came into contact with Miss Nightingale, and he always retained kindly remembrance of the change that her arrival brought to the soldiers. FROM INDIA TO NEW ZEALAND. While still in the Crimea the news was received of the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny. Though the siege of Sebastopol had not yet been effective, troops were rushed from the Crimea to India, among them being Mr. Cook. His regiment landed at Karachi. From there they journeyed up the Indus to Multan, a distance of over 1300 miles, in flatbottomed boats, often being stuck on mudbanks. On arriving at Multan they disembarked and marched to Lahore, where fighting was proceeding, Lahore is 900 miles from Multan. and the greater part of the route was covered with dense jungle, through which the soldiers had to cut their -way. They often had to fight for their lives, as the Sepoys were constantly on their track. Mr. Cook was stationed in India for 34 years, when, trouble having broken out with the Maoris in New Zealand, his regiment (the 70th) was ordered to embark for Auckland. That .voyage Mr. Cook never forgot. India had not been left far behind when cholera broke out on the ship. The crew numbered 18 all told, and a shipwrecked ercw of a similar number was picked up near the southern coast of India. So virulent did the epidemic become that on arrival at Auckland there were only two of the combined crews of 36 live. In addition. 200 of the soldiers died. The captain and first mate of the ship early succumbed, and the only persons on board with a knowledge of navigation were the boatswain and his mate. Some of the soldiers were told off to do duty as sailors, among them being Mr'. Cook, and he was wont to relate with pride that on arrival at Auckland he was given £3 10s extra pay for his work in this connection. Trouble with the Maoris was steadily coming to a head, and the 70th Regiment was marched from Auckland to Drury, stopping on the way for a while at Otahuhu. The Great South Road, from Drury to Mercer, was constructed by the regiment, and various other public works undertaken. Tn 1863 the regiment saw plenty of active service, especially near Shepherd’s Bush.

UPS AND DOWNS OF PEACE-TIME.

In 1865, when the war had ended, Mr. Cook left the army, and received a grant of o 0 acres of land at Whangarei for his services. He bought an adjoining block of ten acres for 10 shillings an acre, and intended to take up farming for a change. However, his plans were changed. Contracts were let by the Provincial Government for railway construction works, and Mr. Cook entered into partnership with Messrs. Dawson and Elliott, and undertook the construction of the railway from the Parnell tunnel to Penrose. The first engine was sent from England in parts, and Mr. Cook assisted to assemble it at Newmarket. Unfortunately, however. Mr. Cook lost £4OO on this contract, and as the Provincial Government about this period was short of funds, there was no chance to recoup himself by entering on another railway contract. Mr. Cook afterwards entered into the employment of the late Mr. Alfred Buckland, sen., and remained with him until early in the 70’s.

Mr. Cook, ever a man of many parts, was subsequently-engaged as a quarrying contractor, and he often stated with pride that he personally quarried many of the stones used in the construction of the original Bank of New Zealand, the Bank of Australasia, and the Bank of New South Wales, and also for the Shortland Street Post Office and the Supreme Court. Road contracts afterwards were taken up, among the streets constructed by Mr. Cook being a large portion of the Manukau Road, between Parnell and Remuera.

Mr. Cook, who had been a widower for some years, leaves a large number of descendants. He enjoyed good health until two or three months ago and was frequently to be seen travelling alone on the railway. He had been ill for only a few weeks.