FIRST GOVERNOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22524, 15 September 1936, Page 11

FIRST GOVERNOR

HOMAGE TO HOBSON TRIBUTES AT GRAVESIDE . m -£W 'I/-; -• 94TH ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY « Around the graveside of Captain William Hobson, R.N., in the Symonds Street cemetery yesterday afternoon, stood a reverent gathering of perhaps 300 people, including a -large number of school children and several Maoris, to pay their respects on the 94th anniversary of the death of the first Governor of New Zealand. Usually the actual day of Captain Hobson's death (September 10) has freen thus observed but circumstances this year compelled a postponement until yesterday. It was the 12th annual ceremony of this nature. Nineteen wreaths were laid on the grave by children representing most city schools.

A naval guard of honour pf Royal Marines from H.M.S. Achilles and H.M.S. Dunedin gave an impressive touch to the ceremony,- and among officials gathered at the graveside were the Mayor of Auckland; Mr. Ernest Davis; the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser; Roar-Admiral the Hon. E. R. Drummond, commodore of the -Now Zealand Division of the Royal Navy; Captain 1. G. Glennie, of H.M.S. Achilles; Mr. C. H. T. Palmer, president of the Auckland branch of the Navy League; Mr. Spenceley Walker, former headmaster of the Newton Central School; and the Rev. A. B. Chappell, president of the New Zealand and Auckland Historical Societies. A Great Example

On the occasion of the annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Captain Hobson, it was appropriate there should be such a widely-representative gathering, said Mr. Davis, in opening proceedings. Hobson's life was a remarkable and thrilling one in his country's service.

He rightly took his place as a national hero, whose name would ever stand high on New Zealand's scroll of fame. "Hobson also laid truly and well the . foundations of Auckland City as we now know it," the Mayor continued. The first Governor had left the city a better place than he found it, which ideal should be preserved and adopted by every citizen to ensure future progress and happiness and to retain the heritages from the endeavours of Hobson and his pioneer colleagues. Mr. Fraser dealt with Hobson's part in introducing the Treaty of Waitangi, which, he said, stood pre-eminent in any part of the world to-day as a pioo between natives and Europeans. It stood as a shining example of the embodiment of justice. There had been deviations due to circumstances, and it had not been carried out in true spirit to its entirety, but the fact that the natives and pakehas were still as brothers and sisters in a great country was conclusive evidence of the wisdom and foresight- with which the treaty, was introduced.

Need lor Fitting Memorial

Mr. Spenceley Walker deplored the lack of a suitable memorial to Hobson, and said the approaching centennial celebrations would be a fitting time to make such a tribute to this founder and governor of the country. He suggested a monument should be erected at the entrance to the city, at the foot of Queen Street.

Mr. Chappell spoke of the debt owed to all pioneers., men and women who came before and after Hobson.' In their varied spheres, sealers and whalers, missionaries and traders, voluntary settlers and British Residents (Busby and McDonnell), sailors and soldiers, loyal pakehas and Maoris, had all played a. valuable part. The -speaker outlined the career of Frederick Edward Maning, an early Judge of the Native Land Court, who was buried close to Hobson, and who was another great servant of early New Zealand.

A wreath was also laid oft Maning's grave at the close of the ceremony.