THE ROME SCHOLARSHIP.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17105, 29 March 1921, Page 11

THE ROME SCHOLARSHIP.

aEEAT SUCCESS OP HEW ZEALAMDERS.. (rXOlf OT7B OWN COBBMWSMKST.) LONDON, February 10. After the great Exhibition of 1851 certain surplus funds {herefrom were invested in property in South Kensington, London, the proceeds from tms propcrtv being set apart for tfco advancoment of science art, «>*¥«?!? education. In 190] I the administering the estate «*"*"££_* school in Homo for the study of arctoeolS but the school was in IUI2 to embrace the fine, arts. .Scholarships were offered for painting, Kuloture, and architecture, of the of the gates of Rome. Here each holder of a scholarship is given the free use of a private studio, and he resides at the M-liool hostel at a merely nominal cost. Moreover, he is given facilities for travel all over Italy,, and for rtafrm the cities to which his particular form of art leada him. These three scholarships are open to British subjects under the age ot 30 in all narts of the world, and it is interesting to note that this yew out of the seven students selected for final adjudication in the architectural class, three are New Zealandera # Mr Eno I!.. Arthur (Dunedin) is studying at tne Liverpool University. Last year he was also in the final, but failed to obtain a scholarship, though he was awarded a premium of £so' as the result, of the work ho had done m the > final competition. Another of the selected student is Mr Edward W. Armstronf!; (Gisborne), who holds a X.Z.K.P. scholarship, and has been studying at the Architectural Association; and the third is Mr James IL White (I>unedin), who is the holder of a British Army scholarship—he had a commission in the It.A.F. during the latter oart of the war —and is also studying at the Architectural Association. Both have qualified for the A.R1.8.A. degree. The subjoct for #he architectural class this year ij a National Pantheon —a domed structure of dignity and beauty—to be erected in a lake cover- ; ing 1000 acres, and to be appxoached by a causeway designed so that a funeral car can bo rolled into tho building under tho dome. Tho object of tho Pantheon is to give equality of record, irrespective of all creeds, to the names of those who havo rendered great service to the Empire. Tho work entails five large drawings, and gives ample :wopo for originality. All the productions, of competitors are now hung in tho Royal Academy Galleries, and they make a striking display. . The treatment of the architectural subject is greatly varied—from tho elaborate heavy composite structure to the structure of rigid simplicity and grace. Mr 'Armstrong has udopted the circular plan fo* his building throughout. Simplicity and grace is his keynote.. The building is low on-the water, with toworing dome above classic colonnades, supported by a severe but dignified main '■' structure. An attempt has been made to echo the placidity and repose of tho .lake, and profusion of small ornaments has been rigidly avoided. Mr White, too, has adopted the sim- ' pie, graceful, and circular plan. The important point of the reflection in tho lake lras,been borne in mind, and for this reason the island platform on which tho Pantheon stands hm been much restrained;' The dome lies low on a 'base bisected by a series of Byzantine 4:nsches. Fine proportions and dignified "disposition of mass, rather than elaboru ato detail and complicated forms, are i what tho author intends to give effect to. There is really little to choo'se tween these two designs, and from an examination of all tho other entries, it would seem to the unprofessional ob- ' server they hold pride of place. v-V Mr Arthur. has adopted quite a different idea. The flattened dome is set Kj'on a square structure of elaborate W Roman design, broken on all four sides * by a iiix-column portico. The island platform is very heavy, and there is not tho_ simplicity _and dignity in his work which is seen in that of the other - two Now Zealand Moreover, the decorative scheme of the surrounding country and lake shows a • marked Asiatic influence hardly •in Icooping with tho idea of an Empire monument. His drawing and detail, however, are of a very high order, anp have evidently given pleasure • to the • judges. ~".; ,;All seven competitors have a final test which is carried out in about threo months under strictest supervision. In ; this respect tho Commissioners are , anxious to havo it known that should .competitors living abroad be selected ■ ! for final adjudication, arrangements ; could bo made for the test to take place under authoritativo supervision in the country where the competitor is Hying. Tho competitor who is placed second will receive' the Henry Jarvis Scholarship, of the value of £250. tonable fjor two years. ' 5* •