QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 985, 28 November 1910, Page 5

QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL.

' OUR REPRESENTATION. Mr. A. W. Rutherford, writing from London to a Cliristchurcli friend, says that the absence of a New Zealand "gate" ■in - the fence enclosing tho square on • which the late Queen Victoria's Statue is in course of erection, is _ commented upon by visitors from this Dominion, tho impression being that New Zealand has been overlooked? Australia, South Africa, and even littlo Newfoundland, each has a "gate," and it is asked, has not New Zealand? "It will bo within the recollection of most people," continues Mr. Rutherford (whoso letter is quoted by the Christcliurch "Press"), "that Mr. Seddon, in the plenitudo of his power, pledged tho colony to a contribution of £16,000. This sum was placed on Supplementary Estimates No. 2 or 3, I forget which, and sprung on the Houso at midnight, as the session was closing.' There was a rumpus, of course. It was felt that the sum was out of proportion, on a population basis, to that given by the other contributors. Now Zealand had sent 10,000 troops to tho Cape to assist in putting down the Boors; a great force also, in proportion to its population.. It seemed to me as it did -to others, that we had been slighted, so I set to work to discover the reason, if any, why we were not apparqntly represented. "New Zealand will bo represented on tho statue itself. She is given tho post of honour in piers. She is to have two piers, one on each side of the slips forming the western approach to the base of the pedestal, on which the figuro of Queen Victoria stands. .These piers face the archway in the centre of Buckingham Palace. They will bo surmounted by bronze lions 'double life size, and inscribed 'New Zealand.' The position allotted to New Zealand is officially described as the most important in the monument. At the baso of tho statue the colossal human figures are now in position, but that of the Queen is not yet set up. All are chiselled in Sicilian marble, which is tho best in the world. Tho fine work is performed at the quarry, and sent liero in sections, and put .together like children's puzzle maps. Tho top of the Queen's head will be seventy-five feet from the ground, and twenty-five feet above these will bo a bronze canopy. It is difficult to conceive of a better site, and when it is completed, it will be the most artistically beautiful object of its kind in the world.

"New Zealand has reason to be satisfied that she .lias got value for her money. The statuo will not be completed by May 24, but as that is Empiro Day, a most appropriate day, and the Prime Ministers of England's dependencies will be in London in connection with the Coronation and the Imperial Conference, it has been decided to unveil the statue tben."