CAPTAIN JAMES COOK

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 290, 2 September 1933, Page 6

CAPTAIN JAMES COOK

Descendant in Dominion

MRS. RUFF, NEW PLYMOUTH t

Dominion Special Service. -few Plymouth, September 1. The fact that a descendant of Captain James Cook, the famous navigator, is living at New Plymouth was confirmed to-day. An -inquiry had been received from Australia for a descendant of Captain CoOk living in New Zealand. The name was given as Glencairn. Mrs. J. Ruff, Roy Terrace, formerly Miss D. M. Platt, is a great-great-great-grand-daughter of the navigator, to whom she traces her connection through his daughter Margaret. Mrs. Ruff’s parents, Mr. find Mrs. T. E. Platt, live at Pukeokahu, near Taihape, and ib is through her father that the relationship exists. His uncle, the late Rev. C. H. Platt, vicar of Seacroft, near Leeds, for 30 years, had in his possession a cocked hat and walking-stick belonging to his famous ancestor. Mrs. Platt, who is at present visiting her daughter, owns a filigree brooch brought back from the Sandwich Islands by Captain Cook. Other relics have been held by various descendants. Mr. Platt’s father was vicar of Whltkork for 40 years, a parish about four miles from Leeds and near Temple Newsham Hall, presented to the City of Leeds by Lord Irwin, formerly Viceroy of India. ' , The full genealogy of the family is not available at New Plymouth, but has been established in England. Mrs. Ruff does not know of Mrs. Glencairn, bub believes it possible she may be a member of the Platt family in Australia. The late Mrs. Joseph Wyley, 'Wanganui, was a sister of Mr. T. E. Platt. It is .understood that all Captain Cook’s sons died at an early age, without issue, several of them being lost at sea. . '