Cook Statue, Christchurch
| Cook Statue | |
|---|---|
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| Artist | William Trethewey |
| Year | 1932 |
| Type | Carrara marble |
| Location | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| 43°31′40.9″S 172°38′8.1″E / 43.528028°S 172.635583°E | |
| Owner | Christchurch City Council |
The Cook Statue in Victoria Square, Christchurch, commemorates the three journeys of James Cook to New Zealand. The statue, sculpted by William Trethewey, was unveiled on 10 August 1932 by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. It was donated by bookmaker and philanthropist Matthew Barnett (1861–1935).
Matthew Barnett had become wealthy through his bookmaking business, which he conducted with his business partner Peter Grant. The 1890s in New Zealand, when the business flourished, need to be seen in the then climate of moral and social change in New Zealand. Women's suffrage, temperance and anti-betting were strong movements, and gaming houses were banned, which included betting shops. Bookmakers responded to the situation by giving themselves titles like 'commission agents' and 'turf accountants'. At first, it was left to District and City Councils to pass by-laws, but eventually Parliament passed the Gaming Act in 1908, which imposed tight restrictions. A 1910 amendment to the Act banned bookmaking altogether.
Although wealthy, Barnett was not part of the high society, as he operated outside of what was socially acceptable by the upper class.
In 1928, Barnett funded an architectural competition for a statue commemorating the three journeys of James Cook to New Zealand.William Trethewey (1892–1956) won this competition and was chosen as the sculptor; this was his biggest commission in his career so far. A 12-ton block of Carrara marble was imported for this work. This commission brought Trethewey much publicity, including coverage on Movietone News.
At first, a grass plot on the north bank of the Avon River in Victoria Square, outside the Limes Hospital (84 Kilmore Street) was considered for the statue. The site of the Limes Hospital and the river bank is these days occupied by the Christchurch Town Hall, with the Limes Room commemorating the former hospital. But by late 1929, Barnett favoured a location on the corner of Armagh and Colombo Streets, in the south-east corner of Victoria Square.
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