LORD PLUNKET.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 789, 12 April 1910, Page 4

LORD PLUNKET.

j' ■": FABEWELL • GUT OF THE I ;.' ■ I FBEEMASONS.; y ,-■ i. .; . .'■ ■ ''— -.'■ ■" ■■ ■' ' ■.'. 1 A magnificent; piece- of plate, which is to form the farewell .gift of the Freemasons of New Zealand to Lord Plunket 1 on his forthcoming retirement, from the Uovernorship of'the Dominion, was shipped to Isew Zealand at London on March 3 by the Atbenic. The service consists of a. centre-piece and two -.side-dishes, , the cen-tre-piece an epergne, consisting of a,large jardiniere, engraved with the arms of Mβ Excellency and nn inscription giving particulars of the occasion. The whole weighs closo on 1000 oz3. of solid silver, and i< .heavily gilt. Messrs. Stewart Dawsoa and Co. designed and manufactured the presentation, which is entirely- handraised and chased.' The jardiniere is supported on a single foot of somewhat unique design, having four flat sides. From the four corners of the foot spring four branches copied from typical specimens of Maori wood-carving, and supported .at , the base on a Maori head, cleverly executed, and showing the tattoo markings. The;arms carry four dishes, on each of which, is engraved the crest of Lord Plunket, and on the reverse the fern leaf and initials "N.Z." The whole, which stands on a plateau three feet by two feotin diameter, is decorated in theMaori style ot ornament, and there are eight views on the plateau, in panels, each of which- is framed in a border of Maori ornamentation. Other panels onthe. jardiniere show scenes that represent events in New Zealand history, sporta, flora and fauna, and the entire cenfrepiece- is 36 incnts by 2-i inches and 24 inches in height. The two side-dishes , are IS inches high.. It'so constitutes an exceedingly handsome imemento of : the' Dominion. ■ '..■■' .. ■. '