SYDNEY'S CITY ARMS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 179, 24 April 1908, Page 10

SYDNEY'S CITY ARMS.

NICE POINTS IN HERALDRY. AMUSING DISCUSSION. The Aldermen of the Sydney City Council . recently found themselves 'treading a thorny path ill discussing the adoption or rejection of a new coat of arms for the city. 1 About .twelve months ago the Heralds 1 Collego in London was appealed to as to < whether a suggested design was appropriate, c and after slight alteration it was returned. £ The amended design included a fullg-igged ship to symboliso tlio discovery of Aus- ' t-ralia; a red cross to symbolise the navy; >i indicato the present headquarters of the i "navy in theso.waters; the arms of Lord Syd- . ney, and a beohire, to symboliso industry. ' Tho matter ivas recently discussed by tlio Finance Committeo, who. recommended that tho design to bo approved should include tho Arms of the Earl of Sydney; the arms of the present Lord Mayor to take tho place of tlio beehive, the chargos out of Captain Cook's arms (at the suggestion of Alderman O'Sullivan), which were to be placed on the cross of St Georgo perpendicularly, and tho ship (Discovery); When the recommendation was read, Alderman T. H. Kelly explained the changes on tho original that ,had been made, .and raised an objection to any private arms being included in tho city arms. Tho Lord Mayor of London had 110 such compliment paid to him. It was ridiculous to suggest that such prominence should bo given to. a private individual. And in this conncction he pointed out that one of tho present Lord Mayor's administrative acts was to have the name of Aldorman John Harris (who was Mayor when the place was built) removed from tho 'end of the main hall over the. organ. He moved: — " That the design for a coat-of-arms, as submitted- by-'.the Heralds College, be approved of." " ' Alderman Stephen seconded the motion. . Alderman Moagher took tho point <that if tho arms of any private individual were to be placed in the new surely the first Mayor of the city' (Mr. Hoskins) was entitled to tho honour, if thcro were any honour attached to it. Alderman O'Sullivan was very anxious that Captain Cook 1 should get a place in tho new design, but it ought to be remembered thati.two other 'navigators had passed this coast 150 years before. Alderman Clarke, who was very excitcd, rose to his feet and remarked that it was time all the talking was knocked on the' head. He was tired of it; besides, Alderman Meagher had exceeded his time. '' Alderman Meagher: "When wo liavo a time-, keeper, like tho referee in a dog-fight.' Alderman Clarlce i may have some claim to tlio position, but at'present ho is out of a position of that kind. He's not keeping time for me. (Laughter.) I . - Tho Lord Mayor announced that Alderman Meagher still had a minute, and tlio Alderman took advantage of .it by moving :— "That tho design be referred back to ascertain whether Mr. Hoskins (tho 1 first Mayor) fiad a coat-of-anns." - Aldorman O'Sullivan urged Alderman Meagher,- for "pod's sake," to go back to his primary 1 * books. Captain' Cook- was tlio discoverer of Australia, and deserved a place on the arms. . . . \ : x Alderman Lawrence next objected to the motto, " I take, but I surrender." Aldorman Morton: Do yoii want to leave out the Words'." I surrender " P (Laughtor.) Alderman Lawrence: I would add, "We have not done'right, but we'll try to do betteri" (Laughter.) \ . ■ . A Voice: What's the matter with "Are we downhearted?"", ; Alderman Stephen: We ought to add one word—nothing—so that it might read: " I take, but I surrender notliing." (Renowed laughter.) ■ ' ' Alderman Ward remarked that if anyone had reason to be thankful that Lord Sydney ; had lived it was Alderman Meagher. If Lord Sydney had not sent - Captain- Cook out to, discover Australia—(roars) —whero would Aldorman Meagher have, boen? Meagher: Don't parado youv ig- ; riorance. , . . . ; : Soveral Aldermen put Alderman Ward '' neiiror tho correct track of colonial history, and he subsided. ' Tho recommendation of the committee to approvo of tho arms was agreed to.