A CHOICE ASSET.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14588, 12 February 1913, Page 11

A CHOICE ASSET.

THE COVE DESCRIBED

(siti-ht to "the press")

WELLINGTON. February 11. Nearly five* hundred people went from Wellington in tho Mararoa to Ship Cove, .Marlborough Sounds, to witness the unveiling of the inemorrfu to Captain Cook by tho Governor. There was also a largo gathering from Picton, -Blenheim, and other parts ot Marlborough. The memorial marks the spot where Captain Cook lauded no fewer than five times for the purpose of giving bis invalid sailors a spell ashore, taking in water, etc. Close by is Motungara Island, where he hoisted the flag, and took possession of the South Island in the name of his Sovereign. It is a lovely little bay, and the hills on the scenic re-serve, somo 2000 acre\s in extent, are covered with native bush, just as Cook saw them. The speeches by Mr x/uncan, chairman of the committee, the Governor and the Hon. R. McNab were especially good. Air AlcNab pointed out the different spots closely associated with Captain Cook's visits. If only this delightful reserve can be protected from _*he ravages of fire, it will form one of New Zealand's choicest assets, not less on account of its natural beauty than of its historic interest.

It was stateel that among the visitors from Wellington was Captain Collego. an old nautical veteran, and a descendant of Captain Cook. He could not, however; be a lineal descendant, as none of Cook's six elulldren lived to bo married. Three died in infancy. Nathaniel aged sixteen was lost in the Thunderer in the West Indies on the 3rd of October. 1780. Hugh died at Cambridge aged seventeen, and James the eldest, commander of the Spitfire sloop, was drowned in attempting to go off to his ship in a heavy gale on the 25th of January, 178-1.