THE CHURTON MEMORIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13979, 8 February 1909, Page 6

THE CHURTON MEMORIAL.

HANDED OVER TO THE CITY.

AN IMPRESSIVE FUNCTION.

A small number of citizens gathered in. the reserve at tho top of Shortland-street yesterday afternoon to witness the ceremony of the handing over of the Churtou memorial— obelisk and drinking fountain —to and citizens of Auckland, by Mr. K. R. Hunt, secretary of the fund. The ceremony was an impressive one. carrying the spectator back to early days, when the settlers had to undergo many trials and privations, and to memories of 0110 who laboured earnestly among them.

The late Rev. J. F. Churton, to whose memory tho obelisk and drinking fountain have been elected, came to Wellington in 1840. as chaplain to the Now Zealand Company. He afterwards went with Governor Hobson to the Bay of Islands, and thence camo to Auckland on its foundation, being the first minister of St. Paul's Church. He was also chaplain to Her Majesty's forces in Auckland, until his death, on January 26, 1853. Mr. Hunt, in handing the monument over to the Mayor (Mr. Arthur M. Myers), stated that 'a. monument to Mr. Churton's memory was erected in 1854 in that enclosure, and stood there until 188-1. when, owing to its l»eing the worse for wear, it was taken down. "The stone slab with the inscription thereon was, however, preserved by the City Council, and in 1901 steps were taken to get the monument re-erect-ed. Tin- City Council was approached, and contributed £20, and the balance was subscribed by the public, enabling the committee to erect the obelisk and drinking fountain at a cost of £98. Mr. Hunt mentioned the services which Mr. J. J. Craig had rendered as treasurer of the fund, and Mr. E. Holm Biss as auditor, and on his motion hearty votes of thanks were accorded to those gentlemen. Mr. Hunt was also accorded a vote of thanks for his services its secretary.

The Mayor, in accepting the monument, referred briefly to the late Mr. Churton's career. He was, he said, on friendly terms with aTI denominations, and help-.J at the opening of Presbyterian .Sunday-schools and of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. He was also one of the three gentlemen who selected the site of the present hospital. In a new country like this, proceeded Mr. Myers, they should do everything possible to maintain in evergreen memory any acts of tho pioneers who laid tho foundation of tho prosperity which present day citizens now enjoyed. He congratulated Messrs. Craig and Hunt, and those who had been associated with them, on the success of their public-spirited efforts to replace what must, he should imagine, have been the first public monument erected to an Aucklandor bv his fellow-citizens. On behalf of the Council and citizen? of Auckland he had much pleasure in receiving it from them and undertaking its future maintop » on the part of the city, and, also, at the suggestion of Mr. Hunt, in beautifying that particular reserve.

A vote of thanks was accorded to the M.ivor for his attendance.

The obelisk, which stands about 20ft nigh, is built of Commando! granite, and has drinking fountains on the eastern and western sides. On the northern side is the slate slab taken from the old monument. bearing the following inscription :—"ln memory of the Rev. John Frederick Churton L.L.8., colonial and garrison chaplain, and for 12 years i; rst minister of St, Paul's Church. Auckland, who died on the 26th January, 1853. at Auckland, aged 54 years." Then follows a lengthv tribute to Ins work as a minister and citizen.