A STIRRING LIFE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16408, 31 December 1918, Page 5

A STIRRING LIFE.

AUCKLAND RESIDENT'S CAREER. CRIMEA, MUTINY, AND' MAORI AVAR. A hale nonagenarian - , Mr William Cook, in whom aro centred two links with the early ?vstory of New Zealand, is living in quiet retirement at Avondale, Mr Cook, who is now in his 93rd year, is a grandson of the youngest brother of Captain Cook, the discoverer of New Zealand, while his mother was Miss Bo wen, sister of Sir George Bowen, who was Governor of New Zealand fifty years ago. ' Considering his great ago, Mr Cook is fairly active, and he may frequently be seen walking about the township of Avondale, enjoying his pipe. From his early boyhood he wished to be a soldier, and he took part in the Crimean War. He left Portsmouth with his regiment in a sailer for Bombay, and it took six weeks to reach Malta, and weeks of rough weather' that tried the hardiest of them. In an interview, he spoke of the unsatisfactory conditions that existed during the strenuous time in tho Crimea. Mr Cook states that so inadequate were the arrangements that he and many of his fellow-soldiers were a full twelve months without a change of, clothing. It was not until after the arrival of Florence Nightingale that matters were put on a better looting. While the Army was still in the Crimea, ne'ws was received of the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny. Though the siege of Sebastopol had not yet been effective, troops were rushed from the Crimea to India, among them being Mr Cook. He was stationed in India for three years and a half, when, trouble having broken out with the Maoris in New Zealand, his regiment (the 70th) was ordered to embark for Auckland. That voyage Mr Cook hae never forgotten. India had not been loft far behind when cholera broke out on the ship. The crew numbered 18 all told, and a shipwrecked crew of a number were picked up near the southern coast of India. So violent did the epidemic become, that on arrival at Auckland l there were only two of tho combined | crews alive, and, in addition, 200 of the soldiers had died. Tho captain l and first mate of the ship early sue- : cumbed, and the only persons on board with a knowledge of navigation were the boatswain and his mate. Some of the soldiers were told off to do duty as sailors, among them being Mr Cook; and he relates with pride that, on arrival at Auckland, he was given £3 10s extra pay for his work in this] connexion. •

In 1865, when the war had ended, Mr Cook left the Army, and received a grant of 60 acres of land at AVhangarci for his services. He bought an* adjoining block of 10 acres for 10s an acre, and intended to take up farming for a change. However, his' plans were changed. Contracts were let by the Provincial Government for railway construction works, and Mr Cook entered into partnership with Messrs Dawson and Elliott, and undertook the construction of the railway from the Parnell tunnel, Auckland, to the Penrose Junction. Thei first engine was sent from England in parts, and Mr Cook assisted to assemble it at Newmarket. Unfortunately, however, ho lost £400 on this contract, and as the Provincial Government about this period was short of funds, there was no chance to recoup himself by entering on another railway contract. Mr Cook, who did not marry until he was over 40, had seven children, of whom six are alive. There are also numerous grandchildren.