EDWARD GIBBON WAKEFIELD

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 99, 28 April 1909, Page 6

EDWARD GIBBON WAKEFIELD

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS. SIR FREDERICK YOUNG'S ASSOCIATIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, 19th March. The neglect in New Zealand* of the memory of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, was first pointed out by the writer m 1905. Subsequently, early in 1908, as a consequence oi an interview with. Lhe late Mr. Albert J. Allom, of Auckland, the matter was again brought under notice in the New Zealand press. Mr. Allom was a schoolfellow of Wakefield, arid after returning to England ia 184fcf he became his private secretary, a position in which he assisted in the preparation of "The Art of Colonisation." The two were habitues of the old building ia Adelphi, 9 Adam-street, where the Canterbury Association had its origin, and they were closely associated until 1852, when Mr. Allom went to Tobago and Mr. Wakefield to New Zealand. THE MEMORIAL MOVEMENT. Though Mr. Allom has recently died there is still a survivor of the progrea sive little colonial circle in Adarn-fitreet. Sir Frederick Young, the nonagenarian president of the Royal Colonial Institute, first came into touch with Wakefield m 1839, the year the Tory sailed to New Zealand, and- their friendship was merely made iesa inlimMe by tae departure of Wakefield for New Zealand in 1852 With Sir Frederick, Colonial affairs ha.»e been a lifelong hobby. From the Wakefield Schoo] he imbibed principles on colonisation which the last seventy years have simply vindicated as the true lines for success. Though never actually a colonist, he was closely connected at this end with several expeditions, and he paid an important visit to Canada not many years ago in tno interests of that Imperial Federation which he regards as the goal of all well-wishers of the colonies to-day. Sir Frederick and Mr. Allom, always legular correspondents, had lately discussed the wakefield Memorial question with earnestness, and Mr. Allom had endeavoured to secure the assistance of the New Zealland Government for the project, besides interesting such influential persons as the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout). THE ORACLE OF COLONISATION. • Narrating to your correspondent his own recollections of Wakefield, Sir Frederick Young recalled the sailing of the first expedition from BlackwaU in 1839. A banquet was given by some leading people connected with the settlement at Lovegrove's Hotel, Blackwall. The Duke of Sussex (son of George III.) was in the chair — rather an important fact for the mana. of the expedition. Sir Frederick was a shai>eholder in the compa-ny. There was always even then an impiies-sion that Wakefiold would go out to New Zealand, as he eventually did in 1853. In the meantime he became, a sort of oracle amongst the steadily widening circle of public meji who -were inteiested in colonisation. He lived at Reigate, south of London, in a small cottage behind the White Hart- Hotel, where Sir Frederick frequently 6pent the week-ends with him. He kept a pony, and they used to go for rides, early in the morning. Once Wakefield told him that he had had thirty members of Parliament down to see him and discuss colonial matters the previous day. Charles Buller and Sir William Moiesworlh (then Colonial Secretary) were frequent visitors. When the Canterbury Settlement was definitely planted, Wakefield was very anxious to ses New Zealand, where he had a son. (the talented Edward Jerningham Wakefield). His health, too, had broken down, and it was understood that he wanted to end his days in the colony. A*, that time the company and the. Government were at daggers drawn, both in England and in the colony k "1 have seen. Wakefield shake his fist at the Colonial Office," remarked Sir Frederick. "He bated them, and they hated him. And yet tht-re is a fine bust of him there to-day.'

Copies of the annual report of the Wellington branch of the Navy League were recently forwarded by the secretary (Mr. C. W. Pairaev) to Admiral Sir John Fisher, First Naval Lord, and Admiral J. R. Jellicoe, Controller of the Navy. Mr. Palmer has just received replies from both Admirals, to the effect that they have noted the work of the Navy League in New Zealand with interest. Word has also been received that Lieut. Knox recently engaged on a lecturing tour in the Dominion, arrived in London on 12th March. The Wellington Professional Orchestra has made arrangements to give a concert at the Town Hall on Sunday next in aid of the funds of Ike. St. John Ambulance Nursing Guild. Ail those who take an interest in the charitable organisations of the city are already aware of the great work done by the sisters of the guild among the poor sick of Wellington, and as the sisters themselves will on this occasion be standing at the doors, box in hand, they that the larger-sized silver coins will be selected by those who take advantage of the opportunity to attend the entertainment. Messrs. T Kennedy Macdqnald, Ltd., insert particulars in our auction columns of a sale of household furniture, motor bicycle, etc., on the premises, No. 75, Roxburgh-street, on Monday, 2nd May, at 1.30 o'clock p.m. Tha Annual meeting of the City FootWl Club will be -.'veld to-jaorrow night.