CAPTAIN COOK'S HOME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21806, 22 May 1934, Page 5

CAPTAIN COOK'S HOME

RE-ERECTION OF COTTAGE NEW SITE IN MELBOURNE STRUCTURE TAKING SHAPE [from OUIi OWN,CORRESPONDENT | MELBOURNE, May 10 : If Captain Cook's ghost is alive to its responsibilities—as all eminent ghosts should surely be —it must be taking a keen interest in the rebuilding in tho Fitzroy Gardens of the cottase in which members of the family of tho illustrious seaman lived at Great Ayton - in Yorkshire. Many other people are also taking an interest in tho cottage, but they can satisfy it at present only by standing on an adjoining scat and peering over tho galvanrsed iron" fence which surrounds the mysterious operations. These are now well under way. ( If tho captain, in-a nocturnal inspection, with a view to a little discreet haunting, observes the work in detail, he must be gratified by the care with which tha building is being raised. It camo in 253 packing cases, all neatlv stencilfcd "Captain Cook's CottageTiles," and so forth, and the massivo stones, which mako up a largo portion of the "buildings are all carefully numbered for placing in position. ... 5,. The cottage is already taking shape. The foundations are laid, and part of tho w.'i 11 has risen to a height of several foot. There is even a window in position. On the ground floor will bo a stone-flagged kitchen and living room, storeroom and stables, and, above, a large room. Tho cottage stood.many years in Yorkshire, and it should stand more In Melbourne, for it is being assembled on a concrete base, which should prevent any settlement. Tho building is happily placed. The . stockado by which it is surrounded is a iviso precaution. It serves not only to keep out the merely curious, but also souvenir hunters. This is just as well, for many of the portions of broken brick would be tempting to people who prize such relics. These were uot. broken in transit. Portion of the cottage was - constructed of them. . The stones are venerable monsters. Their assembling,- even from a numbered chart, isxnot altogether easy. The - bricks are pleasant mellow red, and, reassembled, the cottage, whilo preserving in detail the features of the - original, will probably bo a more work-man-like job than before. The reconstruction, it is estimated, will probably take about a'month. Tho surroundings, of course, will also have to be prepared.