COOK DAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9866, 7 October 1903, Page 2

COOK DAY.

It is to be hoped that ..the weather, which at present looks none too promising, may be propitious for the Cook Day holiday, and that the large numbers of people who intend travelling to Kaitaratahi to help on a worthy cause, and inter alia, enjoy a good day's outing may not be disappointed by the elements. We trust that the gathering may be a success for the reason that we consider it is about time that finality should be brought to the scheme, which has been dragging long enough. Liberal donations have been received from all parts of the colony, and so far Gisborue has done very little towards the object, which is in every way a laudable one, of raising a monument to the great navigator who first lauded on New Zealand shores at Poverty Bay. As previously indicated in these columns, we are in entire accord with those who say that the monument tliat is to be erected should not be placed on a lonely hillside, but in some central position in Gisborne town. If the committee had been able to carry out its original intention and .secure a coiißideraDle portion of Kaiti hillside for the purpose of forming a public park, there might have been some sense hu the proposal, but the value of Kaiti lartd has been so highly appreciated that there is little doubt that the proposal is beyond their reach. There is little object ini marking the exact spot where the navigator lauded, though tliat could be done, as has been suggested, by the erection of an inexpensive cairn, which would serve all the purpose desired, in giving publicity to the historical fact, and it would draw attention to the fact of the monument being in Gisbome. Something of the same course has been pursued at Sydney. An. inexpensive stone lias been set up in front of Rockdale College, Kurnell, on the shores of which pretty little bay Cook first landed in Australia, and the main memorial is in a central position! in Sydney, where a park has been created iir his name and a handsome piece of statuary makes' his form and features familiar to the passing multitudes. We have suggested that the Recreation Ground should be named Cook's Gard'ens, that the memorial should be erected there, and that out' local authorities, aided by public spirited citizens, should set themselves vigorously to work to adorn and beautify that much neglected reserve. The suggestion is one that we believe meets with much public favor, and the Cook Memorial Committee would be wefll advised to give the matter fair and unprejudiced consideration. Meantime, irrespective of the questions of site, everybody should endeavor to supplement the fun/d, so that, whatever memorial is erected, and wherever it is placed, it may be worthy of the great man whose memory it is intended to honor, and the great event in Poverty Bay history, which it is intended to .commemorate.