Rich Historical Associations

The visit to Gisborne last week of the chairman of the National Historic Places Trust, Mr Ormond Wilson, and the representative of the Maori people on the Trust, Mr J. H. Grace, focussed attention on the historical importance of several of Gisborne's notable landmarks.

Not least of these, of course, was the Cook Memorial at Kaiti Be ch, marking the first landing-place in New Zealand of Captain Cook. Along with members of the Gisborne Regional Committee and officials of the City Council, Mr Wilson and Mr Grace inspected the memorial and studied the plans for improvement of the site with the bicentennial of Cook's landing, to be celebrated in 1969, in view.

The party also visited the Matawhero Presbyterian Church, now nearly 100 years old, where residents took refuge from Te Kooti, the Manaoturanga meeting house at Manutuke, reputed to be the oldest in the district, and the site at Waerenga-a-kuri of the church mission school established there about 1865.

Members inspect Manaoturanga meeting house at Manutuke, which abounds in legend and carving

Typical carving at Manutuke, probably done with pre-European implements.

At Makaraka, the Massacre Memorial is inspected. Here 70 victims of Te Kooti are buried.

Ship in channel passes as members discuss future of Cook Memorial site.

Members inspect old trees on site of early mission station at Waerenga-a-hika about a mile north of the hotel, on righthand side of road before College Road turnoff.

At the Cook Memorial. From left, Messrs H. C. Williams, city engineer; F. G. Sheppard, a Government architect; J. C. Corson, Gisborne Regional Committee; W. Hudson, Town Clerk; Ormond Wilson; W. F. Brown, Commissioner of Crown Lands; J. H. Grace; J. T. Hill, chairman Gisborne Regional Committee; and R. Halbert, Gisborne Committee member.
Mr Williams explained that a new, sealed roadway was to be built, and trees planted.

Three Times Winners. Studio picture taken for "Photo News" portrays Kahutia four who for the first time in its long history have won the Burton Trophy in three consecutive years. Seated are George Weatherley (3) and Geoff Weatherley (skip). Standing, A. Falconer (2) and J. Kelly (lead). Picture by Mayfair Studios.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 82 : April 20, 1961

Rich Historical Associations