ANNIVERSARY OF HOBSON’S DEATH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29633, 2 October 1961, Page 12

ANNIVERSARY OF HOBSON’S DEATH

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, October 1. The ; one hundred and nineteenth anniversary of the death of Captain William Hobson, R.N., the first Governor of New Zealand, was observed with simple ceremoney at his grave in the Symonds street cemetery this afternoon.

Approximately 500 people gathered beneath the oak trees to take part in the service sponsored by Combined Auckland Patriotic Societies in honour of the city’s founder and its pioneer settlers.

After a general salute by a guard of Naval Reservists and the Last Post, sounded by a trumpeter of the Band of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery, the Mayor (Mr D. M. Robinson) gave an address. Rear-Admiral P. Phipps. Chief of Naval Staff, said that Auckland and Wellington settlers had asked the British Government to recall Hobson. Hobson had died before it was known that the British Government approved of his administration.

Admiral Phipps said that in line with the historic pattern of British administration in the Pacific, New Zealand had a special responsibility to help Pacific Islanders solve their problems of a rapidlyexpanding population. British administration in the islands had stopped the tribal wars, the killing of the aged and unwanted children, and cared for the sick. But there was a limit to

the number of people who could live in the Coral Islands and already the first migrants had arrived in New Zealand to find living space and work. Thousands more would arrive. He tielieved it was New Zealand's duty to take the islanders in and assimilate them within the national structure. New Zealand could even go further and prepare the islanders while they were still children for their eventual passage to New Zealand and assimilation into New Zealand's way of life.

Perhaps it was the destiny of the Maori people to stand at the head of a greater Polynesia. Wreaths were laid on the grave by the Mayor (Mr Robinson) on behalf of the city, Admiral Phipps, on behalf of the Armed Services, and by presidents of patriotic societies. Frontiersmen, Scouts and Sea Rangers.

Dean Welcomes Delegates

More than 150 delegate* to the forthcoming Free Kindergarten Association conference in Christchurch were welcomed by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan) at a Cathedral service yesterday. The service, to celebrate World Communion Sunday, was taken by the Precentor of the Cathedral (the Rev. Canon W. A. Orange),