Progress On Bicentenary

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31907, 7 February 1969, Page 12

Progress On Bicentenary

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 5.

Preparations for celebrating the Cook bicentenary were gathering momentum in a very heartening way, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Seath, said today.

His comment followed the first meeting yesterday of the inter-departmental working committee set up by the Government to co-ordinate and carry out the practical planning for the Government’s involvement in the bicentenary celebrations. Mr Seath said yesterday’s meeting made considerable progress towards determining arrangements for the national celebrations at Gisborne on October 9. The committee would visit

Gisborne on February 16 for discussions with the Cook Bicentenial Celebrations Committee there and with the Gisborne City Council. SUMMARY

The Government working committee comprises representatives from the Internal Affairs and Tourist and Publicity Departments and the Ministry of Defence. Mr Seath released today a comprehensive summary of bicentennial planning work and decisions made so far. The Government will build a national memorial to Captain Cook in Wellington, establish a Captain James Cook fellowship and subsidise approved memorials in the areas where Cook made landings.

The Government Printer will publish a “high-class” book on Cook in New Zealand. The Navy Office will produce a new edition of Cook’s British Admiralty chart of New Zealand. The Education Department!

will publish a bulletin on Cook’s first voyage and is considering essay or poster competitions. The National Film Unit is making a film of Captain i Cook.

! On behalf of the New Zealand Museums Association the Canterbury Museum is organising a travelling exhibition of items of Polynesian art. The N.Z.B.C. will present special programmes on Cook, including a television documentary and an eight-part radio serial, written by Julian Dickson. EXPEDITION

The Otago University will send a scientific expedition to Dusky Sound, Fiordland—one of Cook’s favourite harbours —and the Royal Society of New Zealand, in conjunction with the New Zealand Navy, is organising a Pacific voyage of scientific exploration. The Government also plans to issue commemorative $1 !and 50c coins, as well as a set of commemorative stamps.