HOBSON’S LANDING AT AUCKLAND

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 8

HOBSON’S LANDING AT AUCKLAND

Historic Spot to be Marked

By Telegraph.—Press Association

Auckland, August 29.

A gesture of great historical interest to the Dominion as well as to Auckland has been made by Mr. Ernest Davis. Mayor of Auckland, who will nave erected at his own expense a monument marking the place where Captain William Hobson, R.N., the first LieuicrautGovernor of New Zealand, landed at Auckland. The monument, an oielisk of granite from Waterloo Bridge. London, now being demolished, will tie erected at the eastern end of Orakei Bay. The Mayor reported his proposal to the council to-night. Captain Hobson rejected the Bay of Islands as the capital and founded Auckland in September, 1840. His death occurred two years later, ana be was buried in a humble grave in Grafton Gully. Tnrough cabled inquiries, in which the High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, has been concerned, the Mayor has under offer a sufficient quantity of granite from Waterloo Bridge. Captain Hobson must have crossed th* bridge frequently during his lifetime, stated the Mayor. The obelisk will be twenty feet high and will be placed on the spot indicated by two aged Maoris at Or::k p i settlement as the authentic landing place. These Maoris. Pehiru Peoro and Watene Tautarl, died two years ago. Remnants of the Ngati-wbatua tribe, which occupied Auckland at the time of Captain Hobson’s arrival, now live at Orakei.