BRITAIN'S GREATEST' MARINER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4057, 11 October 1915, Page 3

BRITAIN'S GREATEST' MARINER.

HONORING THE MEMORY OF CAPTAIN JAS. COOK, R-N----ANNIVERSARY SERVICES AT QISBORNE. A X J NTE RESTING CERE Af ON Y. A ceremony fra unlit with deep historic interest', not only to PovertyBay, but to the ivhole British Empire, took place at .Gisborne on Saturday morning, lvlion a largo gathering assembled at t-lio Cook monument at lvaiti to celebrate the 146th anniversary of the landing of Captain Jas. Cook, R.N., at Poverty Bay, the first point in New Zealand touched by the great British navigator. The function was organised by the local Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute, and was the best organised celebration of the important event which has vet been held here. GREETINGS PROM THE HOME- ' HOMELAND. Mr J. R. Kirk, hon. corresponding secretary' of the Roy-al Colonial Institute, presided, and said they all regretted the absence of the Hon. Dr R. AlcNab, who was to have been with them that day, but who was prevented from attending by the delay of the s.s. Riverina in the south. However, they would have the pleasure of hearing Dr McNab at the Scottish Hall tb.v. night. As showing the importance of the anniversary they were celebrating that <- _.y, Mr Kirk said he would read to them the following messages which had been forwardeu: From Sir H. Wilson, K.C.M.G., secretary Royal Colonial Institute, London: “Council and Fellows Royal Colonial Institute lieartilv join in tne reverence to the memory of Captain Cook, who opened the Southern ocas for the British race.” From Sir Jas. Carroll, Wellington : “Sincerely regret inability to be present to pay tribute to memory of one of Britain’s greatest mariners, by whose methods and care for his men scurvy was eradicated, u;ho added a) the sum of scientific knowledge and by whose devoted service to his King tlfe realms of Empire were ro vastlyextended. Maoris unite with panelias in doing reverence to his memory.”

foora Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Wellington: “Thanks for invitation to attend function in honor Cook anniversary. I much regret that a previously made arrangement to vi.it Dannevirke on Bth inst. renders it impossible for me to be in Gisborne on 9th.” Mr Kirk said lie had also received a letter from the Hon. W. Morgap, stating that he was coming up from Wellington specially to attend the function, but, with Dr McNab, lie, too, was delayed by the late arrival of the steamer.

ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST SEAMEN. Mr Kirk went on to say that, in the absence of Dr McNab. it had Been decided that a few remarks should bo made at the function by a Fellow of the-Institute. James Cook was a Yorkshire™ an, and was born on October 27, 1778. He did not at first choose navigation as a calling, but later took to a seafaring life, and by taking • every opportunity for study eventually became one of England’s greatest marine charterers. We remembered him mainly as an explorer, but Captain Cook was also a distinguished navigator. He was with Wolfe’s expedition at Quebec, and was specially chosen out of all the British naval officers there to taxe soundings of the river St. Lawrence, in order that Wolfe’s army might be landed to storm the heights of Abraham. Mr Kirk proceeded to give a brief and interesting review of Cook’s three voyages of discovery to the southern seas. It was just 146 years ago on Friday last that Captain Cook in the Endeavor, of 370 tons, and carrying 84 souls, dropped anchor a oout T‘ miles out from the very spot upon which thev were standing that day-. They could imagine with what astonishment the Maoris viewed the arrival of the great new ship, the like of which they had never seen before. Captain Cook landed near the spot where the monument stojid, hut unfortunately got a hostile reception, and in consequence had given the name of “Poverty Bay” to the place. Dr McNab had visited England, France and Australia, and had perused the actual logs, diaries and letters of Captain Cook, as well as those of the earliest mariners who visited these shores, and would be able to pay’a fitting tribute to the great navigator that night. Captain Cook’s name was associated with the greatest mariners of our nation, and ms name .would be handed down for all time alongside those of such men as Drake. Frobisher, Collin gwood, Hardv, St. Vincent, Howe, Franklin, and .in later days, Captain Scott. It gave the Royal Colonial Institute -bith in London and its Fellows here, the greatest pleasure to institute this movement to commemorate the anniversary of the landing of Captain Cook in New Zealand, ana they hoped as time went on it would become world wide. (Applause.) LAYING THE WREATHS.

Tlie ceremony of laying tlie wreaths on Captain Cook’s monument followed. ~ ,

Mr R. S. Florance, S.M., said ho. had the honor, on behalf of the Royal Colonial Institute to place a wreath on 111© monument in memory of the great navigator, hearing the following inscription :—“Jii grateful appreciation of the memorv - of Captain James Cook, R.N., - faithful servant of King and country arid considerate and humane master, whose discoveries added much to scientific knowledge and whose daring and adventurous voyages richly extended the Empire he devotedly* and unselfishly served. With the reverent admiration of me Roval Colonial Institute.” Or. H. E.' Hill then placed in position a wreath bearing the following wording: ‘‘From the Mayor and Councillors Borough of Gisborne, in memory of an intrepid navigator, Capt. James Cook.” ’ NO NEED TO CHANGE. THE NAME. ■ .

Mr J. Townley, ’chairman - of the Gisbpnre Harbor Board, then laid a wreath on the monument on behalf of the Board. He said he was pleased, to: take part in a ceremony to per-’ ,p?tuate the memory of the greatest, 'traveller Britain had ever known. He had ingde the British Empire much larger than ever it had been before. Reference had been made to the war. Why was there war ? Because such men as Cook had looked -beyond the. British Isles and had ventured to extend Britain’s boundaries. Coolc has given Britain Australian and New Zealand, and another nation would • now like to have them. This was the cause of the war. If there had been no'Cook there would have been no war. These countries have been given to us by the adventurers of earlier days, and it was now up to us to hold them. (Applause.) Mr Townley went on to..describe the initiation of the Cook monument at Gisborne, and explained that Bishop Williams had chosen the site after a careful study of the ground, so that they could take it that nie memorial stood as close as it was possible to git it to the actual spot at which Cook had first landed in New Zealand.. Mr

Townley then referred to the suggestion in the leading articles of that morning’s ‘‘Gisborne Times” that the name of the district should be ehang*ed here, he naturally enough darned Cook could not get anything he wanted here, he .naturally enought named the place- Poverty Bav. He had called a meeting some years ago to consider the question of changing the .name, but even the old Liberals at the meet-

ing had said the place was progress?, ing fast enough, and why change the

name? After all the name only referred to the buy, and not to the iand. and it was the land that ivas making file district. Cr. T. Jex-Blake, who deposited a wreath on. behalf of himself (as Chair-, mini) and members of the Cook Countv Count**!, said lie did so 1o the memory ; tit • .great navigator who had added so much lustre to the British Crown, and who had been to tile world a general benefactor.

Cr. Clias. Matthews, in placing the Mungapapa Town Board’s wreath, inscribed: “In memory of the founder of Poverty Bay—-Captain Cook,” said he did so out of veneration and respect of the great navigator ivno founded our great land. Mrs W. R. Barker president of the Victoria League, said she also had much pleasure in laying on a wreath mi behalf of the Leagu-e. A WORD FOR -THE MAORI. Mr W. D. Lysnar, who followed, said that while a good deal had been said about Cook that day* he thought something should be said from the Maori point of view. When Captain Cook dropped anchor in Poverty Bay the Maoris had a, double fortified ptiii on the top of Kaiti Hill and there was another on the other side of the river. On the freezing works side, the bank was inhabited but ilot fortified. There were historic memories associated with the name of Poverty Bay, and he hoped these would always prevent, any change of name, as they stood out to the glory and stability of the Natives of that time. Captain Cook when he arrived here he wanted wood and water, but when landed ho did so amongst some of the bravest and stoutest fighting Maoris of New Zealand. They wore not going to take such an invasion lying down. They xook up the attitude, “We don’t know you, and we don’t understand you,” and adopted a stand that torday would be regarded as British pluck. That was why Captain Cook could not obtain wood and water at Poverty Bay. The greatest Maori chief in New Zealand at that time held sway over the Natives here. His name was Hirini Te Kani Otakirau, and he resided at Paremata, near the Uawa River. His man a was so great that it extended over all the tribes. It was this subordinate chiefs who drove Captain Cook off Poverty Bay. After his reception here it was quite clear that Captain Cook decided to go to Tologa Bay, and interview Hirini in person. Hirini was a man of peace, and when the great navigator had explained the object of his visit, Hirini welcomed him, and told him he would'see that he was treated hospitably in future by the Maoris. News travelled almost as fast in those days as it, does to-day, owing to the wonderful means the Maoris had of passing on information from tribe to tribe. Hirini sent out word that the Englishman ivas to bo received, with hospitality, and given all he required. Thus it was that when Captain Cook rounded the East Gape he was well received and given, all he required, and hence bestowed the name •“Bay of Plenty.” Hirini’s mana was so great that When the Maoris, some time later desired to set up. a King, in opposition to Queen Victoria he was offered the kingship, but declined it, nominating some one else. A great grandson of the great Hirini, ITeta to Kani, was at present residing at Alatawhero. No homage they could pay was enough for Captain Cook. They were living in what the late Richatd Seddon had called “God’s Own Country,” and this favored heritage they owed to Captain Cook's discovery.

THEN AND NOW. Mr J. W. Bright said nothing he could say could add to the lustre of the great navigator whose memory they were that dav honoring. When they thought of the large steamers that now visited the port to convey their produce to and from the Old Land, they could hardly ieali.se the difficulties and dmisers that the brave navigators or old had to face. That they made such wonderful voyages in the jcklesholls at their disposal snoke volumes foi their enterprise and valor. Captain Cook when he landed here in 1/69 could never have dreamed that in such a short spate of time the land would blossom into one of the brightest jewels in the Empire and that with the small population they hadl they could send so much produce to feed and clotiio. the nations of the world. It was estimated that the value of the produce they exported was £25,000,000 per annum. While they were there to honor the memory of Captain Cook, they must not forget the great convulsion which was at present shaking Europe. Whi le it was Captain Cook’s to find, it was ours to keep. They must show that their sympathies were with the Britisn Empire. The speaker referred m sui~ rim*- terms to the Reinforcements sefft from this district, and said we were at present sending further large drat-s forward. These men were going with the full knowledge of the sacrifices they might have to make. Many or our boys have gone forth never to return,” said the speaker, with some emotion. “We live m peace hut they are immortal- The boys who have gone and are going forth are maintaining the traditions of the great nanga oi. (Applause.) THE FLAGPOLE. The flagpole which had been erected on a commanding eminence, above the monument was gay with bunting, and n*ade a brave sight. Mr Kirk explained that-the flagpole had been erected by the Borough Council and the local Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute. From the pole that day. said Mr Kirn, floated the emblem under winch Laptain Cook had sailed, and under which the brave boys referred to bv MI Bright -v e fighting—the Union Jack. (Le..J applause.) The flag had been presented bv Mr G. J. Black, one of the Fellows of the Institute and lie considered it. only fitting that public recognition should be made oi Mr Black’s'generosity. The erection of the'flagpole had come as, a suggestion from Mr Black. (Applause.) WHERE THE UNION JACK WAS FIRST HOISTED. Mr G. J. Black, who was received with applause, said his only . object i» speaking was to refer to the important fact which had been overlooked that this was the spot upon which the union Jack had first been hoisted in New Zealand. Captain Cook and a number of his marines had marched to a spot near where the Gisborne Freezing Works’ linie kiln now stands, and bad there planted the Union Jack ta the first time in New Zealand. Ihi.» was absolutely incontrovertible. H e was pleased to see so many ladies present that day. He (Mr Black had come along practically by himself for tlu* n°st few years, and placed a flag on the monument each anniversary d»v Then Mr Kirk had taken the matter tip. ami interest in the, commemoration had increased.. He hoped public intercut would continue to i crease, and that each year larger lumbers would assemble to honor. . th memory of the man to whom ii so great a rlebt. (Applause.) Prominently displayed in the centr of the wreath was a striking photograph of Captain Cook which Mi Black is presenting to the Gishoine Borough Council, to bo hung in the Council chambers. The assemblage was then pjoto graphed, and the most successful Look anniversary yet celebrated in vxi borne came to an end.