THE MEMORIAL DESCRIBED

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 79

THE MEMORIAL DESCRIBED

The memorial to the late Right Hon. Cecil John Rhodes, P.C., which was unveiled by H.E. the Governor, Sir Walter Francis Hely-Hutchinson, is the outcome of a public meeting held in the Town Hall, Kimberley, on April 17, 1902, shortly after the demise of the right hon. gentleman. Subscriptions were forthcoming not only from residents of the Diamond Fields, but from South Africa generally and from England. An equestrian statue-.in bronae was decided on, and the work was entrusted to Mr Hamo Thorneycroft, R.A. The dress depicted in the figure is that worn by Mr Rhodes at his memorable indaba with the Matabele indunas in the Matoppos in August, 1896. Of the cost over £3000 was subscribed in South Africa, principally on the Diamond Fields, and an almost equal sum was raised in England through the efforts of the late Mr Alfred Beit.

The site, which was formerly occupied by the Synagogue of the Griqualand West Hebrew congregation, was bought and generously presented to the town by Mr Alfred Beit, and stands out pre-eminently as the position for such a purpose in Kimberley. The height of the 6tatue and granite pedestal on which it stands is 13ft. The statue is the same in length, and has a breadth of sft. The height is advantaged by being- placed on a rise in the ground. The weight of the whole is 72 tons. The front of the pedestal carries the inscription :

"Thi6 memorial was unveiled and dedicated to the people of Kimberley on the 4th day of December, 1907, by his Excellency Sir Waller Francis Hely-Hutchinson, G.C.M.G., Governoi of the Cape Colony," and aboye, "Cecil John Rhodes. Born July 5, 1853- Died March 26, 1902. Chairman of De Beers Consolidated Mines, member of the Legislative Assembly for Barkly West, founder of Rhodesia, Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, Hon. D.C.L. Uni-. versity of Oxford, a member of his Majesty's Most Honourable . Privy Council. This statue has been erected by public subscription on a site acquired for the purpose, and presented by his valued friend, Mr Alfred Beit, as an enduring token of the esteem in which he was held and the affection with which his memory is cherished by the people among whom he spent the best years of his life. Eheu ! Quanto minus est cum aliis versari guam tui meminisse."

The side and back panels of the pedestal are filled with bronzes in relief, depicting (1) Mr Rhodes receiving his degree at Oxford, (2) conferring with the Matabele indunas, and (3) addie&sing the Cape House of Assembly, the subjects being chosen by the Hon. Percy Maitland Laurence, President of the High Court of Griqualand.