FOUNDING OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20978, 15 September 1931, Page 10

FOUNDING OF AUCKLAND.

NINETY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY. ARRIVAL OF THE ANNA WATSON. The ceremony of taking formal possession of the sito of the present City of Auckland was performed 91 years ago next Friday—namely, on September 18, 1840. It was 91 years a.go to-day, however, that the first definite move was made to occupy the sito which had been chosen for the seat of the Government. On September 15, 1840, the ship Anna Watson, under the command of Captain Stewart, arrived in the Waitemala Harbour from the Bay of Islands. The vessel, which anchored off Freeman's Bay, had on board the officers of the Government. On the following day the ship was moved to an anchorage near Point Britomart, where the deepest water was found, and which afterwards was named Commercial Bay. East of Point Britomart the- officers took up their location in a bay which received the name of Official Bay, and in the next bay, which was named Mechanics' Bay, the tradesmen found accommodation. On September 18, which in that year fell on a Friday, as it does this year, possession was taken of the site in tlio name of the Queen. The British Flag was hoisted on the shore and a salute of 21 guns was fired from the Anna Watson, followed by 15 guns from the barque Platina. The Queen's health was drunk at the foot oi the flagstaff aud three cheers were given.