CARGILL'S MONUMENT

Evening Star, Issue 17920, 16 March 1922, Page 10

CARGILL'S MONUMENT

“A DISGRACE TO HE CITY."

REMOVAL TO ANOTHER SITE URGES.

Dr Fulton, as spokesman for a deputation representing the committee of the Early Settlors' Association, spoke strongly to tho City Council last night on the subject of that familiar and bogrimed pile of masonry known to Dunedin citizens as Cargill’s Monument. The doctor deftly sketched in comparatively few words the career of the late Captain Cargill, who, ho said, had been known as " The Moses of tho Settlement of Otago.” Tho monument to this illustrious early settler was modelled on the famous Scott memorial in Edinburgh, and was erected in tho Octagon in ISO 1. Eight years later Mayor Fish was instiumcnlai in having It removed to its present site in Cus-tom-house square. This was not so had, but, added the doctor, in 1910 tho City Council authorised tho placing of a public convenience beneath it. and this, he considered, was a disgrace to tho city. “ If such a course were even suggested in connection with the Burns statue in the Octagon,” added Dr Fulton, “ I’m sure there would be a mighi.v shout of protest.” Dr Fulton went on to say that at present the monument was largely used as a resting-place for drunks, sleeping Chinamen. and ” Weary Willies.” Hookhlacks plied Their calling ou tho stops, and a gentleman of color, whose chief adornment was a pair of earrings, might be heard in the vicinity selling race borders. Tho water simply had been cut off in 1920 on tho score of economy. rNow, instead of pure water, the basins contained banana peel, eld boots, _ match boxes, and other flotsam and jetsam, a-ij lie had seen Indies who had ascended the steps to read the inscription turn away in disgust at the aroma which arose from there and thereabouts.

The Early Bottlers’ Association had therefore como to the conclusion that something should be done, added tho doctor, end in view of tho fact that street alterations wore going on in the vicinity, they considered tho present an opportune time for the removal of tho monument to a more suitable site. They suggested that it might be placed on tin Oval, near tho edge of tho footpath facing Jones street, where it would b; useful as a fountain for tho slaking of tho thirst, of the men and girls who took part in tho games on that giouiK.l. At, any rate the monument should be cleaned and repaired. Mr W. Nicolson added a few words to tho same effect, and His Worship tha Mayor assured the deputation that the Reserves Committee, had had tho matter under review, but other work had prevented further attention bong given to it. Tho council would give its earnest consideration to the request of the deputation. On tho withdrawal of the deputation the matter was referred to tho Reserves Committee for report.