GOVERNOR HOBSONS TOMB.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 84, 11 April 1887, Page 4

GOVERNOR HOBSONS TOMB.

Our readers will be pleased to learn that the old dilapidated tojrnrj which lately marked the spot where the mortal remains of the first Governor of New Zealand reaffc has been replaced by a structure more worthy of that distioguiahed officer. .The old tomb was merely a_ slob of Hobart stone resting on a low brick wall. On' removing theße and excavating to obtain a solid foundation tbe upper eurface of a vault was discovered, at a depth of about fivo feot, measuring externally 5x9 fst\\ This vault waa arched over with two CjWtxeea. of brickwork. A few bricks wer% sempvedi from the eastern wall below top arch io. order to examine the state Qf the interior,, when by tbe aid of a light fixed to the endi of a rod it was seen that the interior of the. vault waa dry, and the coffin in a perfect), state of preservation. Thia aperture waa. then closed, the arch waa strengthened bg, additional brickwork, and a solid founds* tion thus obtained. ! be Hobart slab now forms the visible base of the present structure, which is surmounted by a slab of black Irish marble on which roeta a slab of Italian marble bearing the following inscription :— " Sacred to the memory of William Hobaoirr, Captain in the Royal Navy, first Governor ot" New Zealand, who died at Auckland 10th September, 18^2, aged 49 years." Messrs Paul aud Fripp prepared tbe plans, etc. j the Auckland Steam Marble Works tha marble slabs ; Mr J. H. Muliins, of Parnell, is responsible for the masonry, and Mr Peter Birley, of Sea_eld "View Road, for the ii on railings.