COLLEGE WAR MEMORIAL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20094, 25 November 1930, Page 10

COLLEGE WAR MEMORIAL.

design adopted. STAINED GLASS WINDOW - Twelve years after the end of the J war Canterbury College has adopted a design for the memorial window to J* J placed in the northern wall of the , College Hall in memory of the alumim j of the College who served and died lor } their country. Having «cc.vo a third design from th« artist, Mr Mar tin Travers (the two former designs submitted by him were ordered in - suitable) the College Board of Gom nors, at yesterday's meeting. deeded to accept the recommendation of th War Memorial Committee and auop this design with tlio suggested minor alterations. Final decision as to these was left to the discretion of Mr 1 ravers in England, without further reference to the College authorities. The money for the window was collected several years ago and protracted negotiations over the design have lasted right up to the present. Subject of Design. The window, which premises to bo j very beautiful in itself as weil as for its I (symbolism, represents the oilicial war , memorial of Canterbury College The subject lor the design is the service of humanity by action and • thought. In the centre is the Mount of Humanity ns-; ing from the earth towards the Heavens. At the summit is seated tlie figure of Humanity in the folds oi whose ample cloak young children, representing future generations, play in safety and contentment. Rising above her is the spire of Aspiration. On \ the tier below stands Action, represented by a young and vigorous figure , in armoui drawing his sword ; Justice is seated close beside him, blindfolded and holding her sword and balances. On the extreme right is seated Thought, a philosopher advanced in j years and, before him, stands _ ixutii with her mirror. Groups of climbers , form one continuous procession as they wind along the pathway up the mountain sido. Action in Different Spheres. The symbolism of the window deepens in its significance by showing first those who served b- action in war and peace, and then those who served by thought, the Arts and Science. At the base of the Mount stand the defenders, with New Zeuland soldiers m the van keepina the ascent clear, so that future climoers may follow in uninterrupted succession. They are symbolic of concentrated, united action in defence of the Mount against Brutality and Ignorance, portrayed as a hydra-headed monster. Behind the soldiers is n nurse tending the wounded. while Florence Niehtmgale stands and looks down on them as though contemplating the fulfilment of her work. ILocal Colour. Then follow features which have a narrower but no less significant meaning. Bishop Selw.vn's love of the Maori is well illustrated bv the figure of the ecclesiastic stooping over a native as if caring for his needs. Behind th*Maori a digger examines golden nuggets. Cantain Cook's shin. Resolution, is worked in here. The snields of Canterbury College and New Zealand are placed in two of the circular lights at the oxtrome top of the window, while the Southern Cross nnnears in the sky to the right of Hnmanitv. Above the defenders hns been placed an inscribed scroll: "For remembrance of the Service and Sacrifice of the years 19141918." Historical Figures. Tho artist states that he has attempted to give the effect of movement, rhythm, and balance without obvious symmetry. The historical persons used are: Alfred the Great, Richard 1., Nelson. Wellington. Henry Lawrence, Clivc. Wolfe, and Drake (action by war), Pitt, Gibl>on. Wakefield, Henry VI., Elisabeth Fry. Florence Nightingale, Bishop Selwvn, Cap+ain Cook. Cantain Scott, and the Resolution (action bv peace). Shakespeare, William of Wykeham. Chaucer. Sir Christopher Wren, Roger Bacon, Harvey, Darwin, Newton, Faraday, and James Watt (action in thought).