EDWARD GIBBON WAKEFIELD.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 13411, 1 May 1909, Page 2

EDWARD GIBBON WAKEFIELD.

rERSOXAT, KECOLLECTIOXS.

(FEOJI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON*, March 19th.

The neglect in New" Zealand of the memory of .Edward Gibbon "Wakefield was first pointed oat by the writer in 190-3. Subsequently, early in 1903, as a consequence of an interview with the late Mr Albert J. Allom, of Auckland, the matter was again brought- under notice in tho New Zealand press.... Mr Allom was a schoolfellow of Wakefield, and after returning to England in 181S he became his private secretary, a position in which he assisted in the preparation of '•The Art of Colonisation," The two were habitues of the old building in Adelphi, 9 Adam street, where the Canterbury Association had its origin, and they were closely associated until 1352. when Mr Allom went, to Tobago and Mr "Wakefield to New Zealand. Though Mr Aliom has recently died, there is still a survivor of the progressive little colonial circle in Adam street. Sir Frederick Young, the nonagenarian, President of the Royal Colonial Institute, first came into touch with Wakefield in JS39, the year the Tory sailed to New Zealand, and' their friendship was merely made less intimate by the departure of Wakefield for New Zealand: in 1852. With Sir Frederick, colonial affairs have been a lifelong hobby.' From the Wakefield school lie imbibed principles on colonisation which the; ] a st seventy years have amply vindicated as the true lines for success. Though never actuolly a colonist, he was closely connected at this end with several expeditions, and ho paid an important visit to Cauada not many years ago in tho interests of that Imperial Federation which he regards as tho goal of all well-wishers of the colonies to-day. Sir Frederick and Mr Allom. always regular correspondents, had lately discussed the Wakefield Memorial question with earnestness, and Mr Allom had endeavoured to secure the assistance of tho New Zealand Government for the project, besides interesting such influential persons as the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout). Narrating to your correspondent his own recollections of Wakefield, Sir Frederick Young recalled tho sailing of tho first expedition from Blackwall in 1839. A banquet- was given by some leading people connected with the settlement at Lovegrpvc's Hotel, Blackwall. Tho Duke of Sussex (son of Georgo III.) was in tho chair—rather an important fact for the mnna of the expedition. Sir Frederick was a shareholder' in tho company. There was alwayS, even then, an impression that Wakefield would go out to New Zealand, ai ho eventually did in 1853. In tho meantime he became a sort of orado amongst the steadily widening circle of public men who were interested in colonisation. He lived at Reigate. south of London, in a small cottage behind tho White Hart Hotel, where Sir Frederick frequently spent the week-ends with him. He kept a pony, and they used to go for rides early in tho morning. Once Wakefield told "him that ho had had thirty members of Parliament down to see him and discuss colonial matters the previous day. Charles Buller and Sir William Molesworth (then Colonial Secretary) wero frequent visitors. When tho Canterbury Settlement was definitely planted, Wakefield was very anxious to see New Zealand, where ho had a son (the talented Edward Jcruiugham Wakefield). His health, too, had broken down, and it was understood that he wanted to end his days in tho colony. At,- that-. time the company and tho Government were at daggers drawn; bofh in "England and' in the. colony! ;■. ','1 h.aVe@een Wakefield Bhake his'! fist at s the. Colonial Office," remarked' Sir Frederick. "He hated.them, and.they hated him. And yet there is a fine bust j "of him thero to-day."