CAPTAIN COOK.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4080, 19 August 1884, Page 4

CAPTAIN COOK.

When contemplating the rapid growth of those magnificent dependencies Avhich arcfast absorbing tho Avhole Australian continent and its neighboring islands, it is easy to forget the agents by Avhich these splendid lands Avere brought under tho dominion of tho British flag. More than a century has elapsed since the boy Avho revolted from the slavery of a grocer's counter ran aAvay to sea, and, after many rough experiences manfully encountered, rose to bo a captain in the British navy, and to command the exploring expedition Avhich circumnavigated tho globe, and added Australia and New Zealand to the possessions of the Crown. But on tho east coast of Yorkshire, Avhere Captain Cook was born and spent his early youth, the recollection of tho great navigator is still fresh and green.

High upon the moorland above his native Tillage toAvers the column erected to his memory ; and in tho narroAV street of the little seaside town of Staithes the shop stands, much altered and modernised, Avhich know Cook as an apprentice. The seaport to Avhich he escaped, and Avhere he took sendee as a cabin-boy upon a collier, is also much changed. Whitby is better known as a watering-place and a seaside resort than as a home and centre of maritime trade. It still owns ship-building yards, and turns out a few vessels yearly, but it has been distanced in the race for Avealtli by more enterprising neighbors Avith better harbours, such as Stockton, Hartlepool, and Sunderland. But the Whitby fisher folk still rank among the finest seamen of these islands, and tho skill and daring Avith Avhich they navigate their " cobbles " or open trawl boats in the often Avild and storm-tossed Northern seas prove that they arc worthy scions of the race from which sprang Captain Cook.— Home paper.