HISTORIC SPOTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1939, Page 5

HISTORIC SPOTS

NATIONAL MEMORIALS AN IMPORTANT CENTENNIAL. GOVERNMENT GRANT OF FUNDS. The marking of historic spots in Now Zealand is a matter that the Government regards as being of the first importance, the Hon W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, stated yesterday in the course of an interview. Mr Parry went on to announce That the Government had approved of a grant of £2OO to mark, in a permanent and fitting manner, places of outstanding historical significence. This was an object that everybody would approve of. and the decision would be specially gratifying to residents in districts where memorials would be erected. NEGLECT OF OLDER MONUMENTS. A complete survey of public monuments in New Zealand, Mr Parry said, has yet to be made. However, from in • formation already made available to him by the National Historical Committee. it is clear that the need for an advisory or co-ordinating authority is very evident; there are examples of monuments whose inscriptions are historically inaccurate; of memorials destroyed; and of interesting monuments which have simply been abandoned and forgotten. A striking instance of neglect was reported several months ago, following the discovery at Lyttelton of a stone obelisk erected in 1863 to commemorate the marriage of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Although lying within a foot or two of the footpath on the Sumner Road, the monument was unseen and forgotten for perhaps the last thirty years. Its metal plaque had disappeared, and in fact its original purpose was only disclosed after reference to Mr W. J. Toomey, one of Lyttelton's oldest residents. ENGLISH PRACTICE CITED. In the past, there has been in New Zealand no counterpart to the three English societies whose object is the preservation of monuuments. In England there are, apart from the numerous national and local (usually County) archaeological societies, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, founded in 1877: the Ancient Monument’s Society; and the National Trust for Place of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty. However, Mr Parry said, the National Historical Committee was doing good work in the direction of compiling an inventory of public monuments, and places of historic interest, while the Government’s sympathetic interest in their labours has been shown in a practical way by the preliminary grant of £2OO already mentioned. CAPTAIN COOK'S LANDING PLACES. That the marking of Cook’s landing places had not been carried out long ago is rather surprising, said Mr Parry, and this is an illustration of the necessity for an expert advisory authority. The Royal Australian Historical Society, with the financial help of the Federal and State Governments, completed, some years ago, the marking of a number of Cook’s landing places in Australia, and it was intended now that New Zealand should do the same. The celebration of New Zealand's Centennial in 1940 certainly seems a most fitting occasion to do honour to one of the greatest navigators and explorers the world has ever known. Several spots have already been marked by local enthusiasts, but there remain at least seven historic places which are closely connected with Captain Cook’s visits in 1769 and 1770, namely Anaura Bay, Tolaga Bay, Mercury Bay, “River Thames,” Bay of Islands, Admiralty Bay and Dusky Sound. This list was originally compiled by Captain J. D. McComish, whose assistance is warmly appreciated by the National Historical Committee and the Government. SIMPLE PLAQUES PROPOSED. The Government, said Mr Parry, concurs in the committee’s recommendations that the memorials be of uniform design, and that they should not | be ornate or pretentious. The committee suggests inscribed metal plaques, not exceeding 12 inches by 18 inches, Ito be attached to rocks or other natI ural features. Where it is not possible to affix the plaques to any natural outcrop, a small stone or concrete cairn will be constructed. The inscriptions will also conform to the ideal of dignity and simplicity, an example being the proposed plaque for Mercury Bay, which will bear the brief legend "In this bay was anchored 5/15 November, 1769, H.M.S. Endeavour. Lieutenant James Cook, R.N., Commander. He observed the transit of Mercury and named the bay." In this way the memorials proposed would have a uniformity suitable to their function as Natj ional Memorials.