EDWARD GIBBON WAKEFIELD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 17

EDWARD GIBBON WAKEFIELD.

PROPOSED MEMORIAL. j WELLINGTON, October 6. I The recent discovery of Edward Gibbcn Wakefield's grave in an old cemeoery hero has aroused discussion on the propriety of conimemoEating his memory by a suitable memorial. , Sir Robert Stout writes to the New ' Zealand Times as follows: — "I am glad to see that you have drawn attention to the ! subject of a memorial to the founder of New Zealand; Mr Edward Gibbon Wake- • field. - But for his action New Zealand would not to-day be a British possession. Bis ability and esr vices to New JZealand '■ axe known to all these who have made themselves acquainted with our history, and ' I hope there will soon i>e erected some . fitting memorial of the man who did more | ' for New Zealand than any one of our i pioneers. I may add that Sir Frederick I • Ypung wrote to me early this year regard- ' ing such.c memorial. I brought the aub- . ject before the Prime Minister about civ, months ago. I enolose an account of a meeting held in London on June 13, 1907, and a memorandum by Sir Frederick Young. — I am, etc., Robeet Stoft." MEMORANDUM. The .recent decree of his Majesty .th>&King creating New Zealand a Dominion of the British Empire appears to afford a fitting opportunity for perpetuating' the memory of "its greet founder, Edward Gibbon W&kefield by a conspicuous permanent memorial in the shape of a statue at the seat of government, Wellington, in order that future generations may know the name of the man who saved New Zealand from -being a French colony instead of a Dominion of the British Crown. It was in the autumn ,of the year 1859 that Wakefield, hearing that Baron De Thieray, with the approval of the French King Louis j Philippe, was preparing to bail from Brest I for the purpose of planting the French flaer < in New Zealand, thus constituting it a I French colony, stimulated by his enterprise ! and patriotism boldly induced a few pri- , vate individuals to join him in the purchase i and- equipment of a fast sailing South Sea ' whaler, the Tory, which immediately left j England in chaTge of his brother, Colonel i William Wakefield, for the 6ame destina-. j tion. It was an ocean race. The Tory j arrived there just before the French vessel > with Baron De Thierry on board reached ! New Zealand. Colonel Wakefield mime- } diately planted the British flag on the ' shore of Wellington and took possession of i the colony fox Great Britain. Baron De j Thierry arrived there about 48 hours after- j wands, and had the -mortification of finding ! that his object had been frustrated by the ! energy and enterprise of his British com- 1 petitor. In history how often it happens, '. ac in matters of lesser note, that fxom \ apparently trivial causes eventful conse- i quences spring. Edward Gibbon Wake- j field's name by his genius and 1 enterprise in presenting the Dominion of New Zea- j land to the British Empire, and being its ' founder, deserves to be imperishably perpetuated in ils history for all future gene- ' rations of Britons both at Koine and be- • yond the seas. — Fredehick Young. ' TO THE EDITOE. Sic, — The public must bo gratified to learn from your recent issue that measures are at length to be taken to fitly recogniso the great work of Edward Gibbon j Wakefield, whose foresight, statesmanship, ; and courage secured for England and for ; us this colony. Several gentlemen in '. New Zetland have long been working for the accomplishment of this important duty, amongst whom should be mentioned Mr Albert J. Allom, of Auckland, who as # a youth enjoyed Wakefield's friendship, aid acted as his amanuensis during the preparation for the press of the great, ' work on "The Art of Colonization." This \ gentleman, now of great age, formed one of the party of the early ?Celson eurvey, j jund latex, in 1844, took part in our Otago survey. But in an important movement ! >of this sort not only the settlers, but the , Governments of New Zealand and the j Home Country, should take part, and it , is therefore satisfactory fco learn from the Prime Minister that this will have his j care during the coming session of Parliament. It is also satisfactory to know , that eminent persons afc Home are working I to the same end. During this /ear I i have had letters from Sir Frederick Young, J the doyen of the Royal Colonial Institute, ', and now in his ninety-second year, which detail his own efforts in connection with many warm sympathisers, amongflt whom may be mentioned Lords On-low, Glasgow, Ranfurly. Tennyson, and Mr Alfred Lyttelton. Sir Frederick begs that we at this end will not remit in our efforts _to remove 'be grave reproach co long lying j ' against us and make a worthy reparation, ! ' Frederick's father war one of the first _!

director* .of the New Zealand Company, and it was from his dock that 'the smart pioneer vessel Tory sailed -for New Zealand I in 1339.. During a recent visit to the Home j Country I had many interesting oonversa- ! tione with Sir Frederick, who was as full of mental fend bodily activity, as many 40 yeara younger than himself. His statements, which appear in yonr memorandum regarding the race between the fast^sailing- ! Tory and <jhe Baron, de Thierxy are not, however, correct, due perhaps to lapse i of memory. Still, the fact remains that but- for W&kefield New Zealand would have been a French possession. The true " story of this episode I have twice fully told, and it -need not now -be , repeated. It puzzle 6me to read " the recent discover of Edward Gibbon Wftkefield's , grave in an old cemetery here/ etc. Neglectful we ' have certainly been, but ; -surely not so blind and careless |as to justify the ideas involved in I this statement. As a matter of fact, the graves of himself and his brothers are conspicuous in the present oemetery, covered with inscribed marble slabs and . surrounded with' iron railing. •At anyrate, let the interest now aroused never die until the *lebt of honour, justice, and gratitude be paid to the memory ■of one to whom so much is owing. — I am, etc., T." M, Hooken. DunecUn, October 8.