CORNWALLIS PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 44, 20 February 1919, Page 8

CORNWALLIS PARK.

McLACHLAN MONTIMENT. I"N\EILLNC, CEREMONY. EARLY HISTORY. The unveiling of the monument to the memory of the late Mr. -John Mitchel McLachlan, on Pi'ponga Point, yestcr clay, by -Mr. I. 11. (iunson, .Mayor til Auckland, marked another step in tin progress of the city. Already wealthy in iis park areas. Auckland has received ii very material addition in the hand rome gift of Cornwallis Park. Tin monument, 'however, has another signi lieaiice. Erected to commemorate the gift of the park to the city by Mr. ..M-Lachhin. it forms v connecting link between the past and the present, and remind* the visitor of the courage and endurance of those early pioneers who landed in the vicinity of this spot from the ship Brilliant nearly 78 years ago. after an eventful voyage lasting ten months. There were about 70 gue*ts present, including members of the City Council, chairmen and memlx'rs of the surrounding locai 1.0.iie.-. Mr. C. J. Parr. M.P.. Mr. Win.-low. American Consul. Mr. 11. Iliirkleton. manager of the Bank of Nov Zealand, and a number of others. All were conveyed from the Town Hall to Onehunga ill special tram cars, and theme to Puponga Point by the auxiliary cutter Dawn and a motor launch. The monument was d.v-igned by Mr. \V. F,. Bush, city engineer. It is constricted of concrete, and is Lift Mm in height. The Ikl-c is ISft square. Above it. three st.e|*. each lJi„. lead to the pedestal, which is I Oft in height. The column, which is hollow, is constructed <•>' reinforced concrete, and i s iisft hjrri, while ihc capital, which is surmounted oy a sphere, i. If t. fiin square. Simplicity i- (In- keynote of ihe monument. ■-'. hid. is botli graceful and dignified in appearance. HISTORY OK Till-'. PAST. It. performing the unveiling ceremony. tiie Mayor said the occasion would recall the history of the past, dating back over 70 years, and marked tin important event in the history of Auckland. The idea of starting the Cornwallis settlement was conceived by Captain Symond* and Captain lleale, and it was decided to name the settlement after Lord Cornwallis. of Indian fame. A number of adventurous spirits readily joined in the proposal, with the result that the ship Brilliant left the Clyde for the Southern Hemisphere, her destination U-ing the Manukau Harbour. The voyage was an eventful one from the start. rough weather being experienced. The vessel was compelled to put into the Love of Cork, and there her captain, officers, and some of the men left her. Another captain (Captain Ritchie), was procured, and he, after having to put in at Sierra Leone and the Cape of «.'ood Hope, finally arrived at Melbourne, the first port of call. Thence they continued their Journey anil eventually sighted land off Raglan. Without a chart to guide him the captain brought the vessel safely across the Mannkati bar. Away to the northward was a long strip of l*ach, known as the Karangahape Beach. On this they landed, and for a number of years endured a great many hardship while endeavouring to-j'arve out a home for themselves. J .lose conditions continued for fourteen years, till 18.> S. when they came to the conclusion that they could not go on as they were any longer. DIFFICULTIES ARISE. Meantime a difficulty had arisen with the Maoris, who repudiated the original sale of the estate, comprising 2.7 000 acres, on the ground that the tobacco liiey received as part payment was bad. -Mr. Henry Scwell, attorney- general lor the Colony, was then given power of attoniey from Home to adjust the settlement of the estate. He died helore the adjustment was effected Sub "fluently, the Native Und Claims court awarded the association •' .700 acres the settlers to pay f 1 ]Kr a ,. ri , tor their sections. Even Hies,, har.'v pioneers, however, found it impossible to make hcadwav against lhe adverse conditions, a,,,! they gradually migrated to Auckland and other places. Meantime, tatc-s di „ the land had not been paid, and it was decide,] to sell it *>y auction. A„ hour before the sale someone unknown stepped in a,„| pi< i,i "" r,i *"*- Tl "' «le, of course, did not proc.-ed. XO MAN'S LAND. 'I'll."! large block of lati.l was now virtually ownerless, and for thirty years it was known as "So man's' land I Itimately the 2.500 acres became further encumbered, and it was decided to sell it to [.ay the rates. At that sale •DOn acres were sold to Mr. ,|„| m McLachlan. who subsequently donated it to the eitzens of Auckland for all time. Mr. Lliiison paid a tribute to the courage and perseverance of those early pioneers .wl„, had faced so rruind l, ar< j. ships. I n fortunately, none of those who am veil by the Brilliant were now alive, though some of their descendants' were. Among these mis M,. .1. Bain I who was among those present. lie was! 'born on Lie estate, and left it 70 years ago. when he was „j. x ve „,- s o f' age. Since t.ien he had not visited the place »P till the occasion. There were also preset Mrs. .1. M. McLachlan, and Mas MeLaclilan. sister of the donor of the park. 1„ conclusion, he paid a tribute to tiie public-spirited men ~f Auckland who had donated parks und' e\.|>.es.se,| the hope that this , j t .| spirit won],| continue to grow, ilm | that I m the not distant future the whole of! lhe area from the point on which they were standing on want-, would be known, as greater Auckland. THE INSCRIPTIONS. He then unveiled the two tablets, the first of which wis inscribed as follows: — "Krected by the Auckland City Council to commemorate the gift of Cornwallis »rk of 1027 acres to the City of Auckland by John Mitchell McLachlan, in '""niory of his mother. Isabella Mitchell McLachlan. Unveiled on February 19. Auckland.' Then follow the names „i the town clerk and city engineer. On the opposite SM J P another slab bears the a'f'lf iuscription.— -j-his lnonu . ment records the arrival of the ship Brilliant in the Manuka,, Harbour ioi tne Loruwalis Estate «i.„ i. ' 1842." a the on October IS. "PlcndKl °F$ a tribut « to the '"- <W a eonf„ ri *H ear, - v P'oneers. *■**"• the con- ■

viand of the air as we had of the water. lie alluded to th,. projected canal between the two waterways, stating that this was a matter well within the realm of politicians, and one that should he given effect to. In conclusion, he mentioned tiie splendid nature of the gift, and congratulated the council on the monument that has been erected. ill. C. Hudson, Mayor of Mount ICden. expressed the thanks of the visitors lor the outing, and appreciation of the gilt that hud been made to the city.