GOVERNOR HOBSON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22211, 11 September 1935, Page 16

GOVERNOR HOBSON

GRAVESIDE CEREMONY TRIBUTE PAID BY MAYOR NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS The achievements of Captain William Hobson, R.N., first Governor of New Zealand, were recalled yesterday at the 11th annual ceremony beside his grave in Symonds Street cemetery. The speakers were the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. Ernest Davis, and the headmaster of Newton Central School, Mr. Spenceley Walker, who arranged the commemoration. Addressing the large attendance of pupils of Newton Central School and members of the public, Mr. Walker said the occasion was probably the last on which he would attend officially as headmaster of the school, but he hoped the work of paying tribute to the memory of a great man would be continued. Jt was also desirable that more prominence in community thought should be given to tho date on which Hobson founded Auckland. Remarkable Achievement Mr. Walker said Hobson made remarkable achievements in his brief time as Governor. He brought British law and order to the unruly white population then in New Zealand and natives accustomed to warfare, he extended British rule to the South Island and obtained the signatures to the Treaty of Waitangi. All this was accomplished without force, although ho encountered considerable difficulties, not the least among them being his ill-health The Mayor said he regretted the possibility that Mr. Walker would not again attend the event officially, but he would be interested in the continuation of the occasion. He agreed that the date on which Auckland was founded by Hobson should be better observed. The Mayor said Hobson was a hero and colonist, and his exceptional work as Governor was the monument by which he was remembered. Chivalry and Courtesy "As Aucklanders we salute his memory for the foresight he showed in selecting the site of our city, and it is no fault of his that Auckland to-day is not the capital of the Dominion," added Mr. Davis.. "Hobson was a man of chivalry and courtesy, and a true citizen. His life's work is an object lesson to us all." Wreaths were laid on the grave, including one by tho Mayor, and the assembly later gathered by the grave of Judge Frederick Edward Maning, where the Rev. A. B. Chappell ; president of the Auckland Historical Society, gave a brief address on some of the incidents in the life of a notable pioneer, who was the author of "Old New Zealand." The speaker said contrasts could be found between Hobson and Maning, and the latter, a true pakeha-Maori, had made a striking contribution to the early history of the colony.