CENTENNIAL EFFORT

Evening Star, Issue 23700, 7 October 1940, Page 4

CENTENNIAL EFFORT

MEMORIAL STARTED AND ABANDONED A DERELICT IH A SEA OF WEEDS DOMINION MARBLE ASKED FOR, BUT NONE OBTAINABLE If the original idea is adhered to of facing certain parts of the structure with carved marble slabs of Dominion origin there is every probability of the completion of the Otago Centennial Memorial on Signal Hill being postponed for years. A considerable sum of money has already been expended on the ground basement structure, but the contractors have now left the job, tools and all, and the edifice as it stands, partially orectcdj gives one an impression of some derelict temple unearthed from the ruins of ancient Babylon. Indeed, with the beginnings of a new growth of grass among the chips of stone, mortar, and rubble lying about, the similitude becomes more complete every day. The committee, in the first instance, no doubt upon well-intentioned advice, stipulated that the scroll work on the memorial should bo on Dominion marble, preferably from a quarry, at Nelson. Unless a new quarry is prospected for and found—one which contains suitable marble—there is no prospect of securing this type of material from Nelson. All the good, marble has long been extracted from the present Nelson quarry, the ‘ Star ’ is informed. All that remains there is full of cracks and blemishes and wholly unsuitable for the work in hand. Because the committee will not accept any other type of material the work has been abandoned, despite the fact that a stone equally as good for tho purpose, and one which is durable and adaptable to carving, has been recommended to it. GOOD STONE AVAILABLE. This stone, it is understood, conies from Banks Peninsula, and is very similar to Portland stone, of which all Wren’s famous cathedrals are built. A representative of this newspaper had ah opportunity of inspecting a sample of this stone, and was assured by a man with a lifetime experience in handling and moulding such materials that it is admirably suited to the memorial job. It is equal, if not superior, to the best Nelson marble, the ‘ Star ’ was informed. There are numerous types of coloured marbles available in New Zealand, but none is of any use for exterior decorative work, as it all disintegrates under the action of the weather; hence its use only for interior work, such as in the vestibule and stairways of tho Chief Post Office. The best of the Nelson marble was used in the construction of the new wing of Parliament Buildings in Wellington. Apparently it was not good enough for that work, for one stonemason remarked, when discussing the building and the relative values of various New Zealand material: “It is a standing disgrace.” It had weathered very badly, he said. “ Whether we like to admit it or not,” this man said, 11 the best flawless marble in-the world comes from Italy, and securing supplies from there just now is out of the question. If we have to wait until the end of the war to finish Otago’s memorial we might have to wait a Tong time,” he added. DOES COMMITTEE KNOW? In view of the information elicited from men qualified to judge—information inevitably in tho hands of the committee —it would appear that some immediate steps are necessary to provide for a supply of the most suitable available stone so tho work of completing Otago’s memorial may be carried out to a successful conclusion. Obviously if a guaranteed quantity of flawless marble of Dominion origin cannot be secured, and stonemasons say it cannot, then a good “ weathering ” stone, such as that obtained from Banks Peninsula, must be used. For appearance and polishing purposes granite would fill requirements admirably, providing there was no carving necessary, but to do all the_ elaborate carving in granite as required in the plans and specifications would exhaust the funds of the Memorial Committee before the task was half through construction. As matters stand at the moment an abandoned derelict is no credit to Otago’s capital.