SHIP COVE MEMORIAL.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13653, 19 February 1913, Page 1 (Supplement)

SHIP COVE MEMORIAL.

IGvIPRESSrVE HISTORICAL CERE^

MONY

UNVEILING BY THE GOVERNOR

[Unxted Press Association.]

Blenheim, Feb. 11

': An historio event. 'occurred :torday when the memorial 'to Captain Cook, erected in Ship Cove, some 25 miles from Blenheim, was unveiled under impressive circumstances by Lord Liverpool. , Tho. weather, though threatening in the morning, lent itself perfectly to tho occasion later in the day. The function _.was thoroughly of a successful character. Large numbers of people journeyed to the Cove from Marlborough arid Wellington. It is estimated that the excursionists on the beach numbered 5000. The Mararoa ran an excursion • from Wellington, carrying close on 500 excursionists. The Wellington ferry steamer Duchess assisted, with all the craft available at Picton.

Tho Governor, accompanied by tho Countess and suito, landed from the Tutanekai shortly after mid-day, the Amokura firing a salute as he left the vessel. The Vice-regal party Avas met by the Hons. F. M, B. Fisher and F. H. D. 8011.

Proceeding to the monument, Lord Liverpool delivered an impressive address, in which ho said they had come thereto do honour to the man whose guiding star through life was unswerving zeal and undaunted perseverance. There had been many men in all ages, from all nations, who had cheerfully . and devotedly given their, lives and best years in the service of exploration and science for the benfit of-their fellow rneiv but what specially appealed to them, to-day was the fact that James Cook belonged to the race of which allv.eib so juutly proud. Having traced tlio . historical...deeds of tliei groat.navigator, Lord) Liverpool concluded by saying although many years had passed, wo were endeavouring to give full expression to our appreciation of the memory, not only of an intrepid navigator and - explcfcv-r, but a great and gallant Britisher. ._ . Having concluded his main address, the Governor created a profound sensation by reading a wireless message announcing the disaster which had befallen/Captain -j-co'fct's *;o-uthern party. The Governor made a striking'analogous allusion to the heroism of the Antarctic party and.the deech of the great man to whose, memory they were doing justice that day. ~ . The GovcT-nor's speech -was followed by remarks from Mr. John Duncan, who explained that the monuments on the mainland, and at Ship-Cove...did not represent the completion of the-menien^l movement.. That '..work, on which £200 had been expended/ was to be sncroerled by- the erection of a consiberably larger monument at; Motunrji Island, in the vicinity, on which Ciiptnin Cook proclaimed British sovereignty over the South Island.

Speeches were also made by the Bon. F. M. B. Fisher (who paid i handsome tribute to Mr. Robert AFcNab's interest in the movement'), and Messrs R. " McCallum, M.P., and Roliart MoNab. All' the Speakers nnpealcd strongly for support, toennhlo the committee to accomplish the object at the earliest possible date;. Subsequently about, a hundred .official guests were entertained Hv tli(> committee at luncheon. The Povemor was presented with a framed photograph of the monument itself. Knrmniintec] b-v an old ship's anchor; and 1.-is -t, the foot an. ■ old cannon of. Obtain CWc'p time, supplied by the- Brit'sh y\dmirnltv:! , ..Coiratruc+ed of fp^ro '^nTrc+n. • . )^. r»onumenit has on ea^b nxk> an •inp''*mtion fitting •nut tV* Ar+vs a'yl parti^nlareof Capt^inCook's fife ■v;*' 4;« *'\ Jc"^. Qnye, including ; a chat'actcwstic Mann address. ; . - i