HOBSON REMEMBERED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 214, 10 September 1928, Page 9

HOBSON REMEMBERED.

FIRST LIEUT.-GOVERNOR. ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH. PILGRIMAGE BY CHILDREN. A company of young New Zealanders gathered round a grave in the old cemetery off Symonds Street this afternoon and laid thereon a wreath in memory of Captain William Hobson, R.N., the first Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand. The children were all from the Newton Central School, but they performed their act of remembrance on behalf of the children of the Dominion. A few echoes from the past were verbally awakened by Mr. Spencely-Walker, headmaster of the Newton Central School, and Mr. George Graham. Eighty-six years have passed since the death of Captain Hobson, at the age of 49, a death which was hastened by the weight of responsibility which he bore in guiding the affairs of the young and unsettled colony. Where now are the pioneers who knew him. and those who followed him to his resting place on the then wooded slopes of the gxilly leading down to the sparkling waters on whose ~hores he had established the seat of Government for New Zealand? They are part of that host invisible, whose vision, labours and example should ever be remembered by this and generations yet to come.

It wa> on January 29, IS4O, that Captain Hohson arrived in New Zealand to srovern the colony which had been placed Tinder the care of the Governor of New South Wale?. The Bay of Islands, where the residency had been located, did not meet with the approval of Hobs on as suitable for the headquarters of the Government, and he desired a more "onvonient place from where to carrv on the development of the colony. . Why He Chose Auckland. In selecting the shores of the Waitemata Captain Hobson was influenced by the favourable opinion formed by the missionaries. The early explorers, including Captain D'Urville and Captain Cruise, do not appear to have made themselves familiar with the Waitemata. but the Rev. Samuel Mareden in his missionary explorations hal to some extent done so. The Rev. Henry Williams, who had adopted the Church after having served in the Royal Navy, was directly responsible for recommending the Waitemata to Captain Hobson.

Mr. Graham said to-day that it was not generally known that a deputation of Maori chiefs went from Auckland to the Bay of Islands and influenced Governor Hobson in selecting' the shores of the Waitemata as the seat of government. He suggested that the time had come for the removal of Captain Hobson's resting place to some more prominent place —such as a copimanding position on the more elevated portion of the Domain. Who that appreciates the city of Auckland but will find pleasure in a backward glimpse to the day on which it was born? On Tuesday. September 15, IS4O, the barque Anna Watson anchored in the harbour, having on board a party of officer®, mechanics an 4 labourers for the building of the city that was to be. Three days later, in the early afternoon. the ccremony of taking possession in the name of Her Majesty was duly performed. The British flair was hoisted on Britomart Point; it wai saluted by the guns of the warship* in the harbour; the health of Her Majesty was drunk at the foot of the flagstaff, with three times three of hearty cheeringThe Anna Watson then fired a salute in honour of His Excellency tne Lieu-tenant-Governor. which was responded to by three hearty cheers and one cheer more from those on chore. There followed a regatta and a match f-">r a purse-of £5 between two large whaleboats rowed by sailors, and by another between two large canoes paddlrd natives. Thus concluded the ations on the day of Auckland's b'rth. The Thorn in the Flesa. The path of Captain c :-!r>~ his brief administration •v.;twith, difficulties, arl.-:ncr :ue clamour of interested vi—- .'i "ir-c----tion with tne land <]:ir*t:or ..•»* r-ar-petual thorn in the tV-a 'f «.I:a:n:?tr.itons. His were the z'::- of nar.;r.i! ability rather than those 1 by great education. He h.:-i a k n-ily deposition and a capacity :• - to what he conceived t:> in» "i.- highest duty. The Lieutenant-' ■ >r r- • ceived little support from "he IT-'iv Government, and ne wa<- left i"• r.i v funds the best way h-.- could t j Larry on the administration. Captain Hobson won t lie c-■nii.l'-H and respect of the Mao: who .ire good judges of character. What meniorial more to be desired c:>n!d the first Governor of a colony have than that expressed by the natives in petitioning for a new Governor "Let him T>e a good man." the Ma vs said. "like mis one who has just d;ed." Thus is Captain William _Hobs..n remembered by the |.eoplsi oi Ne Zea* land* _