Bishop Cowie's Memor= ial.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 March 1910, Page 4

Bishop Cowie's Memor= ial.

"To the glory of God, and in honoured and affectionate remembrance of William Garden Cowie, D.D., Bishop of Auckland, 18(55) to 15)02, I'rimate of Xew Zealand, 185X5 to Such is the inscription beneath the lately-completed window for St. Mary's Cathedral at ~uckliind by Messrs Jones and "Willis, oi Great Hussell street, London, whose reputation for stained glass and church decoration of all kinds is world-wide. Citizens of Auckland cannot be anything but well pleased with the new window, which is to lie the central feature in the chancel of the cathedral. The very simplicity of design appeals (states a London correspondent), there has been no attempt to crowd in too much. The finished window seems so well suited to be a lusting memory of the charming personality of the late Primate,- who was beloved throughout the dominion. One is first struck by tho chastity of the design, the refinement of it's execution, and the natural humanity of the figure subjects. The colourings mainly are neutral, brilliant splashes of ruby glass entering with splendid effect into the robes of the figures; the other colour chiefly noticeable is a rich blue, Avhich is introduced with skill and much taste. The general colour is soft. Messrs -Tones and Willis were supplied from Auckland by Canon Walsh with a general outline of the idea upon which to carry out their commission. The window is 20 feet in

height—lofty in proportion to its size; it is divided into three lights, the middle one being taller than its companions. The central portion of each light is occupied by a life-size symbolical figure of our Lord. The middle light depicts Him as King, with orb in one hand nnd sceptre in the other, standing on a globe representing the world; in the left hand light the figure represents Him as Prophet, with right hand uplifted, and an open book borne in the left hand ; in the light on the right we see Him as Priest, bearing a golden chalice in His hands. Each figure stands beneath a canopy, and it is in the robe drapery that the opportunity has offered itself to the introduction of the rich ruby colouring, which renders strikingly effective the golden jewels outlining tho robes. In the topmost section, of each light is the figure of an angel, each bearing upon a scroll the description of the subject beneath— "Prophet, King," "Priest." The lowest portion of each light, forming the base, is occupied by a coat of arms, and it here that the blue principally predominates. One shield represents the arms of the diocese of Auckland, another the arms and crest of the Cowie family, and the next those of the See impaling Bishop Cowie's paternal arms.