PORTRAIT PRESENTED TO AUCKLAND

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 71, 17 December 1937, Page 10

PORTRAIT PRESENTED TO AUCKLAND

Earl After Whom City

Was Named

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, December 16,

Through the generosity of the present Earl of Auckland the City of Auckland will shortly become possessor of an original portrait of the first earl, after whom the city was named bj’ its founder, Captain William Hobson, in the year 1840. The mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, lately received a suggestion that, in view of its approaching centenary the city should endeavour to obtain a likeness of the celebrated statesman whose name it bears, and that the picture should be hung with other historical portraits in the Town Hall. Sir Ernest immediately had inquiries made and, on learning that at least two portraits of the. earl were known to exist, wrote to the present holder of the title, who resides in London, asking his advice as to the best means of acquiring a reproduction of one of them painted by an artist named Simon Rochard. Earl in His Robes. The Earl of Auckland replied promptly by air mail, stating that lie would be only too pleased to help in any way possible. The letter continued: “I have a very fine portrait of George, Earl of Auckland (1784-1849) in his robes, but this portrait is unsigned, and I am afraid I have very little chance of being able to find out whom it is by. It measures approximately 3ft. 6in. by 2ft. 9in. If this is the portrait to which you refer, or if it would answer the purpose, I shall be only too delighted to present it to the city and shall ship it. to you as soon as I hear from you.” Interest in Auckland. The earl added that he had always taken a great interest in Auckland and New Zealand, and hoped some day to have an opportunity of visiting the Dominion. ■Sir Ernest has replied thanking the earl for his exceedingly generous offer, and assuring him that the portrait will always have an honoured place among the city’s possessions. In 1840 when Captain Hobson v decided to create the new capital ou Lite Waitemata Harbour, Jhord Auckland was at the height of his fame as Governor-General of India, to which office he had been appointed in 1835. Administration in 'lndia. He had proved a most successful administrator, and had intervened with apparent success in the affairs of Afghanistan by sending to Kabul an expedition, which dethroned the usurper, Dost Mohammed, and placed his rival, Shah Suja, on the throne in August, 1839. For this victory he was created Earl of Auckland. Soon after this Lord Auckland’s success was shattered, for, at the end of 1841, the small British garrison at Kabul was surprised and defeated by a native insurrection, and very few of its members reached India alive. He was recalled by Lord Reel early in 1842, and later re-entered politics, serving as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1846 until his sudden death in 1849.