COOK’S VOYAGES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 March 1925, Page 5

COOK’S VOYAGES

A VALUABLE RECORD

LETTER. BUCK ACQUIRED

PURCHASED FOR AUSTRALIA. B* GABLE— PRESS ' ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received March 25,. 9.35 a.m. LONDON, March 24. Australia'House has acquired a most valuable addition of historical documents for the Alitchell Library, in the shape of Captain Cook’s letter-book of the second and third voyages. The volume is in splendid condition. It consists of copies by Captain Cook, in his own handwriting, of the Commissions’ secret instructions, letters to the Admiralty, orders to subordinates and a memoranda on manifold subjects, in fact all orders relating to business on the voyages, chronologically recorded. The iast entry was written seven weeks before his death. Experts regard the letter book as next in importance to the actual log book. It was formerly in the possession of A. G. Riddle, of Montreal, who inherited it from his grandfather, who was a collector of old manuscripts and 1 ' purchased it in London. 1 ,■ Australia House secured it for £SO. — Aits, and N.Z. Cable Assn.