PERPETUATED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1940, Page 8

PERPETUATED.

ACHILLES' NAME.

GALLANTRY IN WAR.

ST. HELIER'S LANDMARK.

CITY COUNCIL DECISION.

In order that the city may commemorate the gallant part played by H.M.S. Achilles in the naval erigageI ment off the coast of Uruguay on December 13 last which led to the destruction of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, the Auckland City Council decided at a special meeting to-day to name the commandI ing headland east of Ladies' Bay at St. Helier's, and near the junction of Cliff Road and Springcombe Road, after the cruiser. Achilles Point will be the new name of this headland, which affords unrivalled views of the harbour and gulf islands, as it has a height of 119 ft. Complementary to the new name for the headland it has been decided to erect a suitably inscribed tablet at a cost not exceeding £100 so that there will be for all time a ]>ermanent reminder of the grand achievement of H.M.S. Afhilles, as well as that of H.M.S. Exeter and H.M.S. Ajax, other British warships which took part in the historic action. Valorous Work. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, said there was 110 disparagement of the valorous work of H.M.S. Exeter and H.M.S. Ajax in the action of Auckland in demonstrating unusual pride in the particular exploit of the Achilles, as the close association of that cruiser with the naval station at Auckland had won for it a special place in the hearts of the people of Auckland. That was accentuated by the fact that at least one half of the ratings of the Achilles were Xew Zealanders and also of the contribution that the engagement made to the preservation of British ocean trade routes. Proceeding, Sir Ernest said that by the same token of sentiment and gratitude, it was clear that the city should take the initiative In providing a permanent commemoration of the outstanding performance of the Achilles in the interests of the defence of the Empire. The Mayor added that in the course | of construction the road to the point was widened in order to provide facilities for motorists and others to admire the view. At no great expense it would be possible to form and terrace the approach to the point, so that it might become even more accessible. Sir Ernest added that, when the Achilles returned to her home port, the captain, officers and ship's company would be tendered a civic reception. Councillors present Warmly supported the proposal. Mr. R. Armstrong suggested that the tablet should take the form of a sundial, and Sir Ernest agreed with that view. Mr. J. W. Kealy suggested that they adopt the Maori idea of planting suitable trees. The motion to bestow the new name was unanimously carried. Glorious Vista. The Deputy-Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, speaking «t the civic reception tendered him in the Town Hall this afternoon, highly commended the proposal of the council. On his arrival fro»» Wellington this morning, Mr. Fraser was met by the Mayor. Sir Ernest Davis, and both he and Mrs. Fraser inspected the site of the proposed memorial. "I think the Mayor and members of the Auckland City Council are to be congratulated on their proposal, and whoever conceived the idea of naming the wonderful landmark above Ladies' Bay, Achilles Point, is deserving of the thanks, not only of the people of Auckland, but of the whole Dominion," said Mr. Fraser. "Excellent taste and judgment has been shown in the selection of the spot for the memorial, for it is eminently suitable for the purpose in every way. The thing that appeals to me greatly is that the point will be conspicuous to the men of H.M.S. Achilles when they return to their naval base at Auckland, and, indeed, will be one of the first landmarks of Auckland to welcome so many New Zealanders back to their homes. Furthermore, it will be visible to the shipping from all seas of the world as it comes into the port of Auckland. "Another interesting feature," added Mr. Fraser, "is that the name, Point Achilles, will be incorporated in all future naval charts, and that will prove an additional means of perpetuating memories of the deeds and heroism of the men engaged in the historic naval engagement, and particularly of those of the officers and men of H.M.S. Achilles." Mr. Fraser commented on the beauty of the vista opened up from the point, commanding as it did views of the city and lieautiful St. Helier's Bay, nestled below, and the wide sweep of the Waitema.a Harbour, with majestic Rangitoto, Motutapu, Waiheke and Motuihi and other islands in the foreground. He said- he could not imagine a more beautiful or poetic spot for such a memorial as that proposed. It offered one of the most glorious vistas in the world and it was worthy of the men who fought so nobly in the great naval battle with the Graf Spee.

Historic Locality. The vicinity of Achilles Point is rich in Maori history, which dates back back several centuries. The Maori name of the point is Te Pani-o-Horoiwi, which means the head of Horoiwi, a man of the historic Tainui canoe, who settled with the Maori people living close by. It, was at an early period that the Tamaki Isthmus became a Tainui tribal area. Maori history records that the Tainui, with an equally famous canoe in the Arawa, arrived in Ks.»o from Polynesia. The Tainui cruised up the cast coast. Some of the natives landed at Tamaki, and the Tainui, after voyaging up the Tamaki River, was hauled overland into the Manukau Harbour. Tho canoe then made her way down the west coast.